'Dying' Dog's Muzzle Was Bound Shut
A rubber band was holding the poodle's mouth closed. A charge of animal cruelty is pending against the animal's former owner, according to the SPCA.
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A quick-thinking teacher may have saved the life of a young poodle mix named Sox, who was found with a rubber band embedded in its jaw and holding its mouth shut.
The poodle-Yorkshire Terrier mix is now recovering at SPCA Tampa Bay and a charge of animal cruelty is pending against the owner, the animal rescue agency said in a news release today.
According to an SPCA investigator, a schoolteacher first contacted the animal rescue agency when two children under the age of 10 reported that their puppy was "dying slowly" in their bathroom at home.
SPCA investigator Jill Purl went out to the home on Dec. 12 and asked the owner to bring out her dog. Purl reported that the dog was covered in feces and had a wound on its muzzle. She found a rubber band encircling the muzzle and cutting into the skin and jaw bone, according to the release.
The owner promised to take the dog to the veterinarian, according to the SPCA. The agency followed up the next day and found that the animal had not received medial care.
The SPCA investigator asked the owner to surrender Sox to SPCA Tampa Bay, which she did. An animal cruelty charge is pending with the Clearwater Police Department, according to the SPCA.
Dr. Rizal Lopez of SPCA Tampa Bay said that the damage on the dog’s muzzle can occur quite quickly and is called pressure necrosis. The infection created a hole at the top of the dog’s muzzle. Consequently, he is breathing through this hole as well as through his nostrils.
A week after being rescued, the poodle is recovering. The infection is clearing up, the fleas are gone and Sox has been groomed of snarls. The puppy will need some more time and care before going up for adoption, according to the agency.
“It’s not clear how well the wound will close up or what nerves have been damaged around Sox’s nose,” said Martha Boden, SPCA CEO. “He will likely need extra care for chronic sinus issues but he’s eating well, and in many ways acts like a typical puppy.”
The SPCA is urging people who suspect animal cruelty or abuse to contac the agency at 727-586-3591, ext. 135.
SPCA Tampa Bay serves Pinellas County. It is located at 9099 130th Avenue North in Largo.
Hours are Tuesday through Friday, from 1-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Sonya K. Theisen Davidson
6:45 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
That is really sad. I am glad that this news got to the SPCA.
marvinabigby
10:48 am on Thursday, January 12, 2012
do they hnoe hoe many people would give this pup a pampered loving home peoplr are looking for small dogs all the time for company for shut ins prople who have little contact wih the outsidr world .my new puppies have been a life saver to me .they only want love and attention
Animal Lover
6:55 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Cruelty towards an animal is no different than towards a human. They are living beings and depend on us for love and care. If people can't do that, they do not need animals in the first place. I hope the charges stick and they serve jail time! they are lucky the old eye for an eye - tooth for a tooth laws don't apply anymore! Let someone treat them the same treatment they gave the poor puppy.
Stacey weber
7:11 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
People really need to start being held responsible for their actions and not just get slaps on the wrists! This is appalling!!!
Caroline Youmans
7:26 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
They should take the children also.
Elizabeth McFarland
8:26 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
What this mother has taught her children is that it is ok to be abusive, cruel and down right evil. These children need to be placed elsewhere and be given counseling on the evil that was done to that poor puppy. I wonder....would the mother have done that to her children, or allowed it to be done to her children.......possibly.
Karol Singleton
3:56 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
I totally agree.. and I am sure childrens services are looking into this. This is mental abuse .. to the children. 100%. abuse. I also would like to know who else knew of this going on.. there was other people.. am sure. They need to be brought up on the same charges for not cvalling it in. A "mother" doens't live alone.. there is men involved too.. bring them up on charges.
Brenda Hutto
1:45 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
I HATE seeing stuff like this. I think they need to take the kids too.
Karol Singleton
3:59 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
How can any society stop abuse.. when we allow something like animal abuse to go on and on and on..
If this was happening to a "adult human" , or one of these children.. there would be prison time. People who abuse a sweet pup... like this , who is totally helpless.. will and do abuse humans and have all along!
Don't give me bull about its sick or what ever. There is no humain society that wouldn't take a sick .. dog in and humanly put it down.
Want to run for political office, ... you would get my vote and I would go out and put signs up.. and rally behind you.. if you would run on the ticket... Stop Animal Abuse .. 100%.
Gary Lee
12:48 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
And this dog was not so sick it needed to be put down, apparently the person just thought it was a nuisance. I agree, take the kids, too, or they will be the next ones found abused.
Karol Singleton
4:00 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
This 10 yr old needs lots of love and admiration.. for standing up and telling their teacher what was going on .
Red
8:22 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
So what's the name of the parent? Does this sick-o live next door to me? I do wonder if this hard hearted person does this to a little dog how's it been with the kids? Does the 10 yo that did the right thing get pay back by losing the only family they know? Has the state kept on enough people to follow thru on check-ups on this family? Will these children "fall thru the cracks", or just be plucked out of and in to the ill-famed Fla.overcrowded foster care program? The child did the right thing. .. ... will we?
jackie mort
5:25 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
i don't know what to think , the first time the
spca went to the house the dog should of been taken .... not left there to be contuned torchered they were doing that to him already did the SPCA actually believe they would take him to the vet SERIOUSLY florida SPCA needs help that wound of never happened in Penbnsylvania that dog would of been taken on the spot how SAD!!! and DISTERBING!!!
Trace Taylor
10:35 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
I'm sorry but fines and jail would never be enough for these people. Never enough.
Sandra Hand
5:32 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011
OMG!!!!!!! How incredibly awful for this poor dog!...... People who do stuff like this to animals should have it done to them!
Trace Taylor
2:02 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
We are a broken species.
Julie
3:06 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
How sad that the dog didn't get taken when they first visited, it could have died of starvation / dehydrated in the time it took them to come bk. there are laws in place in the uk which stop ppl like this from owning animals in the future !!