Ram found with chemical burns
Miami-Dade County, FL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 9, 2004
County: Miami-Dade
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A small ram was picked up Sunday evening after being found in a backyard in a residential neighborhood in South Florida with severe chemical burns over most of its body.
"The skin and fur is completely burned off his back and he had maggots all over his body when I brought him in," SPCA director Laurie Waggoner said. "I've been doing rescue most of my life. I have never seen anything this bad."
SPCA volunteer Jeanette Jordan, who lives near the area where the ram was found, said, "When I think of the type of person who could burn an animal alive, I wonder what they are capable of doing next. This is not just a cruelty to animals, this is a very dangerous person."
Waggoner said, "Animal abuse is a serious crime. The person or persons who committed this atrocity not only need to pay for their crime, but they need serious intervention before they try this with another animal or even a child."
The ram is being cared for at the SPCA ranch. His prognosis is guarded, according to animal care workers. Anyone with any information is asked to call the South Florida SPCA. at (305) 825-8826. Callers can remain anonymous. If you have information on this case, please contact:
South Florida SPCA
305-825-8826
Case UpdatesOfficials at the South Florida American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are still investigating this case. Regarding the chemical that the ram was doused with, South Florida SPCA director Laurie Waggoner said, ''We don't know what it was, but it was awful...I've been doing rescue most of my life. I have never seen anything this bad . . . I'll be surprised if he ever grows hair again.''
The ram, which is being called Aries, was taken back to a farm in Hialeah where he was inspected by a veterinarian and given antibiotics and painkillers. He is convalescing and is able to walk, but is severely underweight and shaky on his feet, Waggoner said.
''If he makes it through the next couple of days, he'll make it OK,'' she said.
It is not known where the ram came from, but believed that he may have wandered from a nearby field where several cows graze.
''He's not a wild ram,'' she said. ``He's not afraid of us, so he has spent time with people.'' | Source: Miami.com
Update posted on Aug 16, 2004 - 5:13PM |
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