Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Dog with fighting wounds found dead in trash

Dog with fighting wounds found dead in trash
Decatur, AL (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 30, 2006
County: Morgan
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 7899

Classification: Fighting

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

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Decatur Police are investigating why someone wrapped a pit bull in a garbage bag, and dumped it behind a trash bin. The story may remind you of Lucky, except this dog wasn't duct-taped. Dr. Steve Osborne, who examined the animal, says the dog's injuries were caused from fighting. He couldn't determine whether the grown male mix-breed pit bull was dead or alive when he was put in the trash bin. Dr. Osborne is certain the wounds were made by another dog. "The animal sustained fresh bite wounds. 1-2 day old type bite wounds. Mostly in the rear end area of the dog. He got numerous old healed fight wounds, ear damage scars on his front legs," says Dr. Osborne.�

No one has been arrested.

Case Updates

A Decatur veterinarian couldn't determine whether a dead pit bull found behind a trash bin died in organized dog fighting � or whether the dog was still alive when dumped.

Decatur police and animal control officers found the dog wrapped in a garbage bag and dumped behind a trash bin behind Family Dollar on West Moulton Street after receiving an anonymous tip Saturday.

While a fight between dogs was the source of the dog's injuries, Dr. Steve Osborne, who examined the animal, couldn't say whether it was a fight organized by humans or a clash between dogs.

"He's got some old bite wounds, some new bite wounds and some infected bite wounds, so it's certainly conceivable that he died from septicemia or some injuries from a dog fight," Osborne said.

"Was it an institutionalized fight or was it a fight between two disagreeing personalities? ... There's not enough evidence to say," Osborne concluded.

Osborne also couldn't determine whether the grown male mix-breed pit bull was dead or alive when someone placed it at the trash bin.

"This dog could have been alive when he was put there, and weather going down to 27 degrees and septicemia and shock could have finished him off," said Osborne. "Or he could have been dead when he was placed behind the Dumpster."

The similar discovery of Lucky, a midsize shepherd mix wrapped in a bag and dumped in a trash bin, still alive but with his snout duct-taped and one leg nearly severed, recently raised public awareness about animal cruelty.

Lucky's story highlighted the possibility that some area residents are encouraging dogs to fight for sport. Osborne believed Lucky was used as bait to train other dogs to fight.

"With Lucky, there was no question that a human was involved in what happened to him," Osborne said.

The fawn-colored coat of the pit bull mix found Saturday was laced with scars, Osborne said.

"This is not his first fight. But most of the (fresh) wounds were on his back end, which generally means he was leaving the scene of the crime and not standing and fighting," Osborne said.

Osborne said he would expect to see injuries to the dog's upper body if someone trained it to fight in competitions.

Source: The Decatur Daily - March 29, 2006
Update posted on May 1, 2006 - 7:42PM

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WAFF - March 30, 2006

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Dog with fighting wounds found dead in trashDecatur, AL (US)

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Dog with fighting wounds found dead in trash
Decatur, AL (US)