Valencia County looking for animal abuser
Posted at: 12/04/2012 6:00 PM
| Updated at: 12/04/2012 6:14 PM
By: Danielle Todesco, KOB Eyewitness News 4
It is the worst case of animal cruelty some local veterinarians say they have ever seen.
A pit bull was found dumped on the side of the road with gashes, gunshot wounds, and missing teeth. That is not the only case found in Valencia County within the past week.
The other case, completely separate, was an 8-week-old puppy that Valencia County Animal Control said was thrown into a ditch.
Both animals are now getting care from a veterinarian in Albuquerque, while Valencia County tries to find who is responsible for each case.
They named the pit bull Mercy, but veterinarians who have examined her believe she has never been shown any.
"She's got old wounds, new wounds, honestly...to me, she shows a lifetime of abuse," Doctor Jessica Marsh with TLC Pet Hospital said.
Dr. Marsh thinks Mercy is three to four years old. She has scars all over her face that are now covered with new cuts and gashes. She has bullet wounds in her nose, eye, stomach, head, and behind. Dr. Marsh also says there is evidence of her mouth being wired shut at some point. She says that is a tell tale sign that Mercy was a bait dog used to train other dogs how to fight.
"A lot of times what they do for bait dogs in dog fighting rings is they will actually destroy their mouth so they can't bite the other dogs," Dr. Marsh said. "That may have been why her mouth was previously described as having been wired shut."
Mercy will undergo multiple surgeries over the next few weeks. She is blind in the eye where bullet fragments are stuck behind. But they say her temperament is already improving.
Right next to her sits the eight-week-old puppy, also brought in from Valencia County the same day. It is a completely separate case.
"The puppy was found on a ditch bank near some trash, just thrown. He was just thrown out there," Eric Tanner with Valencia County Animal Control said.
His bottom lip was ripped away from his jaw, but now he is expected to be okay.
"He's really, really lucky that he only sustained the injuries that he did and we were able to surgically repair his lip yesterday," Dr. Marsh said.
Valencia County Animal Control has no suspects right now, but they say Animal Protection of New Mexico is getting a reward together for information.
Viva Animal Rescue NM is also helping with the dogs. You can track their progress on their Facebook page.
New Mexico People's Anti-Cruelty Association is paying for both vet bills, but they still need help. If you would like to donate, you can go to https://npo.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=85-0261399. If you are donating specifically for the pit bull named Mercy, put her name in the donation dedication line to make sure the money goes to pay her bills.
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