A miniature pinscher shot 22 times with BB pellets and suffering from a cut neck, a broken leg and a severely damaged eye was left near a busy road to die. Dearborn animal control officers picked up the little dog in the area of North Rosevere and Ford Road and took her to the shelter.
She received the name Ricki because she was cared for by veterinarian Dr Richard Capute at the Caputo Animal Hospital in Dearborn Heights.
Ricki's damaged eye had to be removed. Rescuers found maggots in an open wound in the dog's throat, and speculate the dog must have been wounded several days before it was found. A femur was broken and Ricki might not be able to use that leg again.
Elaine Greene, Dearborn Animal Shelter executive director, said it was the worst case of animal abuse she had seen. Greene said, "This is not a mean dog, she's quite sweet. I cannot understand what would possess anyone to do something like that in the first place, let alone to such a sweet little dog."
Juanita Keddie of the Caputo Animal Hospital said it will probably take months for the dog to recover. Ricki was alert and starting to eat little bits of food.
A foster home is lined up for Ricki and the animal shelter has been taking calls from people interested in adopting her permanently.
The shelter is offering a $1,500 reward for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the culprit. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Dearborn Animal Shelter
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