Dog found infested with ticks - had to be euthanized
Tucson, AZ (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003
County: Pima

Disposition: Not Charged

Abuser names unreleased

A golden retriever was found so infested with ticks at a Tucson home Wednesday that it had to be euthanized. Now authorities are investigating the incident as a felony case of animal cruelty.

An investigator says the dog - named Bear - was so anemic from the tick infestation that it would have died from a lack of blood. The dog was believed to have been abandoned by its owner when he moved from the home more than two weeks ago. It was covered in ticks and barely able to move, according to a Tucson Police Department report.

Officials are not releasing the name of the dog's 20-year-old owner because no charges have been filed.

Police also found five potted marijuana plants growing in the yard. Police say the plants were appeared freshly watered.

References

« AZ State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Pima County, AZ

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