(WFRV)  A disturbing animal neglect case out of the Fox Valley .

An emaciated starving dog was found in a cage--- abandoned in a parking lot of an Appleton business.

The dog is now recovering at the Fox Valley Humane Association.  Shelter officials named him Chance--- because he now has a second chance at life.

Chance was found abandoned in a crate in the parking lot of an Appleton business on North Locust Street.

Because he is so malnourished-- veterinarians are not even sure what kind of dog it is.

Chance was found in a feces filled crate, smaller than he is tall.  Veterinarians believe Chance may have spent much of his estimated 4 years of life in the crate.

Which is why shelter officials believe the dog's back legs are deformed-- he walks with his feet turned out-- due to extreme damage to his muscles.

"He was horribly emaciated.  He was indeed starving. There is nothing to him but skin and bones.  Also because he was confined in the crate for a long period of time, some of his muscles had atrophied and he walks with his feet turned in."  Said Deb Lewis, Executive Director of the Fox Valley Humane Association

Officials say it will be six to nine months before chance is well enough to be adopted.  It will cost thousands of dollars to rehabilitate Chance back to health. So they are collecting donations.  To learn more about Chance and how you can donate click here: http://www.foxvalleypets.org/News/Current_News/Help_Chance.aspx . 

You can also call the shelter at 920.733.1717.

The Fox Valley Humane Association is also offering a 500 dollar reward for  information leading to an arrest and conviction.  The money was put up by an anonymous donor.

Right now Police have no leads in the case.  If you have any information you are asked to call the Appleton Police Department at 920.832.5500.