Puppy neglected, locked in filthy crate
Port Saint Lucie, FL (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009
County: Saint Lucie
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Robert James Hester
If the 8-month-old puppy has a name, no one at the Humane Society of St. Lucie County knows what it is. But workers there are doing their best to care for the pit bull mix that is in obvious pain.
"Some of the sores you see on her legs and on her rump end are consistent with being locked in a crate that's very dirty," said Operations Manger David Robertson.
Port St. Lucie police found the dog on Shipping Road after they arrested Robert Hester, 48, on charges of selling drugs out of his home.
"Our special investigations unit team executed a search warrant on Mr. Hester's house," said Tom Nichols of the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
It was behind the ranch home that officers found four dogs, including the white-and-tan puppy. Police said she was covered in mange and had a lesion to her front left leg that penetrated nearly to the bone.
"He is still in jail now. His bond is substantial," said Nichols, who said the arresting officer suspected the puppy was being used as a bait dog for a fighting ring.
It is not the first time Hester was accused of mistreating dogs. A 2004 arrest on charges of cruelty and dog fighting earned him two years in prison.
"They're good people though. You couldn't ask for better people," said neighbor Debra Bowen, who added that she did not agree with the drug sales going on in her community.
But Bowen defended Hester's treatment of his animals.
"They weren't fighting dogs. He didn't fight them," she said. "He did before. He got arrested for dog fighting before. The dog that they took, I was here when they brought that dog here. That dog had mange and they were taking care of it trying to heal it."
"You're OK," Robertson said soothingly to the puppy, which was just dipped to try to relieve her discomfort.
"It's disgusting and deplorable," said Robertson. "Any type of abuse, whether it be on animals or humans, it's just disgustingly deplorable. We're really saddened by it here and we see it all too often."
The Humane Society of St. Lucie County will rely on private donations for the puppy's extended care. References |
