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Case ID: 18358

Classification: Drowning

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Attorneys/Judges

Judge(s):

Patrick Hurley

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Dog survives attempted drowning by owner
Hull, MA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Aug 2, 2011
County: Plymouth

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Barbara O'Driscoll

A 14-year-old dog that nearly drowned when her owner pulled it into the surf at Nantasket Beach, is recovering "but not out of the woods," a veterinarian with the Animal Rescue League of Boston said.

The dog, a female Silky Terrier named Foxy, was on "death's doorstep," when she arrived at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital in Weymouth, said Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

"She was cold, her temperature was low, she had water in her lungs. At one point, the animal control officer who brought her in put her hand on the dog's chest and couldn't feel a heartbeat. She pulled over and did CPR," Smith-Blackmore said.

She said the dog showed tremendous improvement after 24 hours of medical care, "but she's not out of the woods yet."

The dog's owner, Barbara O'Driscoll, 60, of Cohasset, pleaded innocent in Hingham District Court Wednesday to charges of animal cruelty and being disorderly.

Judge Patrick Hurley ordered her to have no pets while the case is pending.

O'Driscoll was arrested by State Police Tuesday afternoon after witnesses said she dragged her small dog on a leash into the water at Nantasket Beach. The dog appeared to be lifeless when she returned to shore, State Police Sgt. Kenneth Wong said.

A state trooper found the dog in the rear seat of O'Driscoll's car after a witness flagged him down.

Hingham animal control officer Leslie Badger performed CPR on the dog en-route to the animal hospital in a State Police cruiser.

O'Driscoll smelled of alcohol and admitted to having had several glasses of wine, but she gave no reason for why she had allegedly dragged the dog into the water, other than to say "It's just a dog," several times while being booked at the State Police barracks in Norwell, Wong said.

Smith-Blackmore, the veterinarian with the Animal Rescue League of Boston said the dog will remain at the hospital until she is well enough to be placed in a foster home.

"We'll keep her safe and once the legal wrangling is done, she'll be placed with a family where she'll be loved. At 14 years of age, she deserves that," Smith-Blackmore said.

Foxy's care, covered by the non-profit Animal Rescue League, is expected cost as much as $8,000, Smith-Blackmore said.

O'Driscoll was released on personal recognizance and ordered back to court on Aug. 29.

References

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