I was in my local shelter one day when a couple brought in two intact male bully-breed dogs. Both dogs were white, which made it easy to see how filthy they were – and to see their startling wounds. The larger, overweight dog had what may have started as a sunburn and developed into a dermatological condition. But the younger, smaller dog had truly ghastly wounds on his hind legs; it looked as if he had been tied up (or even hung) by ropes around his hind legs. Something had cut into his flesh all the way around each hind leg – but the wounds were not fresh. The wounds were partly scabbed, partly infected and raw, and the dog’s hair bore the traces of a purple over-the-counter “wound” spray. The legs were also swollen and the dog was limping on both legs.
I was discussing another matter with one of the shelter employees, and heard just bits of the conversation between the dogs’ owners and the counter staff. I heard the male owner say, “We were out of town for a day and he got caught in wire; he was caught when we got back.” My blood boiled; those wounds were neither fresh nor caused by a dog caught in wire.
Later, after the dogs were admitted to the shelter, I asked the front counter staff member about the dogs. She said that a county animal control officer received a tip about the dogs, investigated, and told the owners if they did not seek immediate veterinary attention, she was going to charge them with animal cruelty and neglect – or they could surrender the dogs. They said they couldn’t afford to treat the dogs, so they were surrendering them.
I borrowed a staffer’s camera so I could take pictures of the dogs. They kept trying to lick me through the cage bars, making it hard to get a good picture. With a kennel worker nearby to help me if need be, I entered the kennel – and both dogs gently bowled me over as they tried getting in my lap for petting and kisses. They were total sweethearts – which made me feel even worse for how poorly they had been treated.
Shelter workers see this again and again. Some of the sweetest, most patient, and overtly loving dogs come in with coats that are matted so severely, it’s as it they are wearing a suit of armor, or their skin full of birdshot pellets, or numerous broken bones.
Why is it that some of the nicest dogs are so badly treated by people? And how do they manage to stay friendly after such abuse and neglect?
Until we start taking legal action against the Humans who commit such cruelty,
this will never stop.
What will prevent these people from getting other pets? Nothing. The cruelty continues.
Spay and neuter should be a mandatory law, unless an individual has a license to responsibly breed.
Fewer animals usually means they go to better homes.
Animal abuser’s should be on a list where all have access to, to hopefully prevent the horrors which people can do to the innocent.
Thank you.
Very well written.
Similar to postings of child molesters, it would be a good idea to make it mandatory to post the names of animal abusers.
I fully agree , plus owners of unneutered and unspayed animals should be taxed, unless they are with licensed breeders.
The tax can then be used to support the shelters.
Abusers should be listed online like sex offenders for everybody to see and keep an eye out
Please follow up with the dogs. I’m sure many of us want to know how this story turns out. My heart broke and I’d love to see these dogs heal and enter into a loving forever home.
Why are so many abused dogs so forgiving? Because dogs are pure of heart and pure of soul.
“Dogs are wiser than men.
They do not set great store upon things.
They do not waste their days hoarding property.
They do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have
and obtain the objects they have not.
They have nothing of value to bequeath
except their love and their faith.”
(Eugene O’Neill)
Well quoted, Stephen.
Thank you.
Yes, thank you for sharing that.
Because dog are AWESOME.
That photo of the poor dog’s legs breaks my heart. I hope that both of those boys get all the vet attention they will need to heal and then that the shelter can find them good homes where they will be loved.
My rescue dog was thrown out of a speeding car. She had ptsd for almost a year. We couldn’t get her into a car without her pooping or throwing up. I couldn’t move my feet suddenly without her letting out the most heart rending screech. She’s doing great now and is the one friendliest, most affectionate dogs I’ve had.
That story breaks my heart. My Alex is a rescue from the streets of Trenton, NJ. He was matted and not trusting when he was found. No idea how long he was on the streets. His rescuer trained him and it took him 3 months for ALex to trust him. I then adopted him. He would visit with me a few hours every day (each day longer) so he would get to know me (and me him). When he moved in, it took a few months for him to trust me and feel at home. We have been together nearly 11 years and he is a great little fellow.
I love your story!
What happened to the dogs??????
Original publish date of article is April 2011.
They recovered in the shelter and were adopted out again together after some time.
Yes, the case of these two dogs happened some years ago. Was reminded of this during a visit to the shelter this week and witnessing several other sweet dogs who have been taken from their owners in neglect/cruelty cases (or found abandoned and efforts are being made to find the owners). Their investigations are ongoing and I could not take photos. Currently in my local shelter are three: a puppy who was being dragged by a person with apparent mental health issues, taken from the person by law enforcement; a large, emaciated dog; and a small dog who was brought in as a stray who was matted so severely that he could barely eliminate. Cruelty to animals takes many forms and it’s a wonder that its victims still have anything to do with humans, much less seek affection and kindness from them. — NK
Just shows that most people needs to be shot anyway.
I’m with you … of course we can’t shoot people who abuse animals, but the thought has certainly crossed my mind a few times.
Really? You think the solution to cruelty is violence? Wow, just wow. While I am abhorred by all accounts of animal abuse and have intervened myself a few times, I think you might have a problem. Frankly, trigger-happy people like you are the problem in this country. Keep your guns to yourself.
I think it’s because 99.9% of dogs are sweethearts. So almost any dog that gets mistreated is a nice dog. As for how they remain so forgiving and loving of humans, I can’t figure that one out. One of the greatest mysteries of life.