Case DetailsDog's collar grown into neck, serious infection
Poulsbo, WA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jul 31, 2006
County: Kitsap
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
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It started with a choke chain wrapped so tightly around a dog's neck that it nearly starved to death.
Scoobie, a German Shepherd, couldn't drink, and couldn't even open its jaws. That's when neighbors came to the rescue.
The dog is now recovering at Central Kitsap Animal Hospital in Poulsbo. She's in better shape, but animal control officers say she was 30 pounds underweight when they first found her.
They also say this was no an accident, but a case of animal neglect.
The wounds are still visible and the Scoobie's fear is still evident, but Dr. Cerissa Blair says it is an improvement.
"She's doing progressively better," Dr. Blair said. "Now she's able to drink and eat where she wasn't able to do that at all."
That was just 10 days ago, on July 31. Neighbors living near Scoobie's Navy yard city home spotted a wound and called Kitsap County Animal Control.
"When (the animal control officer) approached (Scoobie), he was able to smell a rotting smell and effective smell from the animal, alerting them that there was a problem," said Officer Rance McEntyre with Kitsap County Animal Control.
Officers looked closer and saw a choke chain wound tightly around Scoobie's neck. It was so tight, the chain cut through her flesh and into her arteries.
McEntyre says she was just days from dying.
"When the animal was taken back to the hospital, you can actually see the artery pumping as (Scoobie) was laying on the table," he said.
Officers took Scoobie to the Central Kitsap County Animal Hospital. Dr. Blair used a bolt cutter to take off the chain, -only to learn that Scoobie had developed a high fever, and condition that locked her jaw shut and prevented her from using her joints.
She was also starving and severely dehydrated.
"The dog would walk up to water like it was thirsty but it couldn't drink it couldn't open his mouth," said officer Ron Sohler with Kitsap County Animal Control.
The Kitsap County prosecutor's office is investigating Scoobie's owners. Officers say this was no accident, and want the two charged with animal cruelty and failure to provide adequate care.
Animal control officers also say the dog had other scars around her neck, which tells them she had been abused in the past.
In the meantime, Scoobie's making her steps towards recovery -- and she's got a new owner.
"She's my little girl," Dr. Blair said.
Dr. Blair has adopted Scoobie, but says it will be a long time before she can go home. References« WA State Animal Cruelty Map
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