LORAIN, Ohio (AP) -- Hundreds gathered in northern Ohio over the weekend to raise awareness of animal abuse, inspired by a severely abused and neglected dog named Herbie.

WEWS-TV ( http://bit.ly/14zMPXS ) reports that the gathering Saturday night in Lorain pushed for stricter laws to protect animals. The television station said around 440 people attended, based on Facebook postings.

Those who came signed a white sheet with good wishes for Herbie, a pit bull that was severely neglected and also recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. The dog is now resting comfortable at a local animal clinic.

Herbie weighed only 25 pounds when he was found Dec. 2 and has gained some weight since then. Officials believe he had been caged, neglected and dumped.

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Information from: WEWS-TV, http://www.newsnet5.com