Dog found on train tracks with front legs bound and possible gunshot wound to the head Charlottesville, VA (US) Incident Date: Friday, Jul 25, 2003 County: Charlottesville City Local Map: available Disposition: Open Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 1696 Classification: Shooting Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in VA (US) Animal was bound Reward: $15,000 Login to Watch this Case

A dog found on railroad tracks with her front legs bound and a possible gunshot wound to the head has undergone surgery and is resting comfortably, waiting to move in to her new home.

Britta, as the boxer has been named, is doing "fantastic" at the Veterinary Referral and Critical Care hospital in Goochland County, said Dr. Amelia Simpson, who performed the surgery.

"You should see the dog," Simpson said. "She's the sweetest, most loving dog ever."

Veterinarians at the Goochland hospital repaired Britta's two broken hind legs, pulled some broken teeth, and spayed her.

Simpson said Britta is ready to go home and will do so soon, after her new owner, Jan Bas Van Beek, returns from a trip abroad. Van Beek, whose brother-in-law is a veterinarian at the hospital, helped arrange the boxer's treatment.

Meanwhile, the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever left the dog on the railroad tracks in Albemarle County is up to $15,000.

Of that amount, $5,000 was donated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The Humane Society of the United States put in $2,500, and the rest came from local and out-of-state donors.

Dr. Michael Rose, one of the first veterinarians to see Britta after she was found, was pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of concern and generosity.

"It's so refreshing to know how many people out there actually care about animals," said Rose, of Monticello Animal Hospital.

The boxer was found July 25 on tracks north of Arrowhead Valley Road. She may have been dropped from a roughly 20-foot-high bridge.

Her front paws had been tied, her skull was fractured, and her back legs were broken. Rose said Britta's legs could have broken in the fall, or by someone who struck the dog with an object such as a bat.

Britta was about 5 pounds underweight, dehydrated and "loaded with intestinal parasites," Rose said. "She was definitely neglected."

Police believe the dog was shot in the head with a small-caliber gun. Rose said it is possible a bullet caused the wound. Simpson, Britta's surgeon, said she saw no evidence of a gunshot wound, such as bullet fragments, but has not ruled out that possibility.

Albemarle police Sgt. John White, who is overseeing the investigation of the case, said he had no doubt the dog was shot, noting that there was an entry wound and an exit wound.

"I've been a cop for 25 years and I've seen gunshot wounds," White said last week. "I know it was a gunshot wound."

He also said investigators had no leads, but that he was determined to solve the case. "This is not just a mean person. It's somebody who needs some help."

If the abuser is caught, he or she would face a misdemeanor animal-cruelty charge, unless it was a second offense, White said. In that case, the person would be charged with a felony.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Albemarle police

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