Dog left tied to fence with wire around neck Murfreesboro, TN (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 18, 2004 County: Rutherford Local Map: available Disposition: Not Charged Case Images: 1 files available Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 3222 Classification: Mutilation/Torture Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in TN (US) Login to Watch this Case

Stella, a Labrador mix, was rushed to an emergency animal clinic, suffering from an extremely swollen head, cuts to her neck, severe loss of weight and deprivation of air and food after surviving being strung by a wire around her neck to a nearby fence for days.

An animal control worker described the dog when she was brought in as being "in horrible shape."

Rutherford County PAWS officer Andrea McKinney said, "She was tied so tight, for five days, she could not move at all."

Dog owner Robin Woodard of 1886 Leanna Swamp Road said the family pet had been missing since Nov. 18 before being found Monday by a hunter.

She said the dog lost 20 pounds during her ordeal and was having trouble breathing when found.

"Her head was swollen twice normal size, and there is a serious skin and tissue infection around her neck, shoulders and head," Woodard said.

Woodward and her husband, American Connection pilot Kevin McKemy, conducted a community-wide search on foot and trail bikes shortly after she went missing, including posting pamphlets around town of the dog and placing an advertisement in The Daily News Journal.

"Kevin went all through the woods but could not go to where Stella was bolted to the fence, because of posted no trespassing signs and a wire fence across the property," added Woodward. "We drove around everywhere looking for Stella.

"Stella ended up being found by a hunter, who knew we were looking for our missing dog," she said.

The canine has known other emotional hardships of life.

"She was my brother's dog until he died," Woodward noted. "And earlier, she lost my mother. Now, she's our dog, a very loving dog, who has never offered to bite anyone. That's not her nature. She even sleeps on our bed."

The dog was back home by Tuesday recovering from her injuries. No arrests have been made in connection with the case.

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References

The Daily News Journal - Nov 26, 2004

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