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Case ID: 18222

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

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Chained dog with flesh eating bacterial staph infection
Frankfort, IN (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011
County: Clinton

Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 2 files available

Abuser names unreleased

The heat this week is nearly unbearable. Imagine if you were outside with no water and no shelter. That was just the beginning of an animal abuse investigation now under way in Clinton County.

The investigation involves three pitbulls, yet the focus remains on just one dog: Sahara. The skin on the left side of her body is deteriorating - devoured by a bacterial staph infection that's eating her flesh.

"The veterinarian gave us antibiotics for Sahara" said Cassie Tate, a volunteer of the Humane Society of Clinton County and main caretaker for Sahara. "We have to rinse out the wounds three to four times a day."

When Sahara was first brought to the shelter, only scarring on her back was visible. The infection had eaten away the fur along her spine, and the visible skin had become sunburned. But what gave Animal Control Officer Jake Wilson reason to take Sahara in on June 29 were the conditions of the yard in which she was chained.

"She was laying out in the hot sun and wasn't able to stand. When I got closer, I saw she was on a chain that was tied around a large stump that was set into a hole about two feet deep. Two padlocks were used to fasten the chain to her neck."

Wilson called for an officer to come by with bolt cutters to break the padlocks. He and the officer unwrapped the chain from the stump and gave Sahara water - which she quickly vomited. Wilson believes it was a result of heat stroke, which leads to vomiting and diarrhea.

Police found two other male pitbulls on the property, and together, all three dogs were taken to the Humane Society of Clinton County.

"The following morning, Sahara wasn't able to walk but a few feet before collapsing," Wilson said. "The two males were normal."

Since their rescue on June 29, the two males have stayed in good condition. However, Sahara's condition has worsened. The infection that caused Sahara to lose fur along her back has progressed into puss-filled sores that reach to her muscles along the left side of her body.

"The vet said she'd get worse before she'd get better" Tate said. "I just can't imagine it getting any worse than this."

When it comes to prosecuting animal cruelty cases, though, Clinton County Prosecutor Anthony Sommer said that requires "a higher level of bad conduct. There must be proof of intentional harm - " things like starvation, physical abuse, etc."

Though he said he did not have figures available on the number of cases his office has prosecuted, he did estimate that in the past 5 years, about 10 had been prosecuted.

For now, the Humane Society cannot afford to send Sahara to the veterinarian dermatologist who can best treat her skin. The rough estimate on the cost for what Sahara needs done is $2,000. So they're keeping her wounds clean and watching over her.

Donations can be sent to:
Paw Pals of Clinton County

References

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