Puppy rescued from hoarding case battles parvovirus
By Breana Ross
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HALETHORPE, Maryland (WBAL) — A Great Pyrenees puppy named Hilda is recovering after she was rescued from an animal hoarding situation in Baltimore County earlier this month.
Hilda, who is 3-4 months old, is battling parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease for dogs.
“There’s no puppy that, at 3-4 months of age, should be battling for her life,” said Leah Biddinger, founder of Bring ‘Em Home Animal Rescue and Trapping.
Hilda is one of six dogs that Baltimore County Animal Services officials seized from the home of Kimberly Klein, 52, of Halethorpe. This is the third time animals have been removed from Klein’s home. Authorities previously seized around 40 animals in March and more than 80 last year.
Biddinger stepped in to save Hilda, who was in bad condition when officials rescued her.
“We were not willing to let Hilda lose her life because she’s already suffered enough in her small life dealing with the hoarding situation,” Biddinger told WBAL-TV 11 News.
Biddinger picked Hilda up from the shelter and secured medical care for her just hours before she was scheduled to be euthanized.
“She had until the end of the day when we picked her up,” Biddinger told WBAL-TV 11 News. “I just believe that all animals deserve a second chance.”
Biddinger’s passion for giving second chances stems from her own experience.
“In December 2017, I was diagnosed with stage T4 squamous cell carcinoma, which started in my nose, went through my skull base into my brain,” said Biddinger, who underwent surgery shortly after her diagnosis. “I lost my nose. I have a prosthetic nose, but that is what saved me. I said, ‘I know where my heart is in the world, and my heart is saving animals. I want to give them the second chance that I was given.'”
Hilda is now recovering at a foster home with Jennifer Mahon, who shared her joy in seeing the puppy’s progress.
“She just has tons of energy now. It’s so rewarding,” Mahon told WBAL-TV 11 News. “Just seeing her turn around from where she was in the ER, or where she was in the shelter, to where she is now, and where she is every day, because she gets better every day … there’s no words.”
However, Hilda’s recovery has come at a significant cost. Her two-night stay at the Pet ER in Hunt Valley totaled more than $6,000. Bring ‘Em Home Animal Rescue and Trapping received a $1,500 grant to cover part of the expenses but is seeking additional support for the remaining costs and Hilda’s continued care.
“These animals rely on us. We are their advocate, and this is what we do every day,” Biddinger told WBAL-TV 11 News.
Bring ‘Em Home is accepting donations on its website. It’s also accepting donations via Venmo (@BringEmHome), PayPal (@BringEmHomeRescue), and Zelle (410-622-9527).
Once Hilda fully recovers, she will be available for adoption.
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