Animal Shelter Treating "Worst Abuse Case" Its Ever Seen
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 9, 2013
BLOOMINGTON - A shocking case of animal abuse appears to be headed toward a happy ending.
"This is probably the worst one I've seen that's still living," said Wish Bone Canine Rescue Shelter Director Lisa Kitchens.
Kitchens and the non-profit organization rescued a one-year-old female French Mastiff and boxer mix last week who is truly lucky to be alive.
"I mean, you want to cry. You just think how could this happen?" Kitchens said.
The dog's name is Pandora, and police confiscated her when they arrested her owner. A "high-kill" shelter in Chicago is where the dog ended up.
"She was covered in this clear grease. It was the strangest thing, just laying in a little crate in a back room," Kitchens said.
Wish Bone volunteers brought Pandora, along with 15 other dogs, back to Bloomington. Pandora was by far in the worst shape.
Kitchens said, "I said, 'We have to get her to the vet right away.' (She was) very close to death, very close to death. Doctors said normally you'll find some fat around the organs and abdomen. (She) had no fat all all. I mean nothing."
Pandora went through a successful surgery and is receiving IV fluids.
Still, her body weight is around 40 lbs., about half of where it should be, according to Kitchens.
You can see her fur sinking in around her bones because of the starvation.
"She's a great dog. Really sweet. It's amazing after what she's been through that she could be so good," Kitchens said.
But with such an intensive and costly recovery , Wish Bone is appealing to the public for help.
"It is a strain, but we think it's worth it and usually the community helps us out, and that's why we do what we do," Kitchens said.
The hope is this once abused dog can be loved again by a new adoptive family in about a month.
Kitchens said, "Every animal deserves a chance."
Click here for how you can take action.
"This is probably the worst one I've seen that's still living," said Wish Bone Canine Rescue Shelter Director Lisa Kitchens.
Kitchens and the non-profit organization rescued a one-year-old female French Mastiff and boxer mix last week who is truly lucky to be alive.
"I mean, you want to cry. You just think how could this happen?" Kitchens said.
The dog's name is Pandora, and police confiscated her when they arrested her owner. A "high-kill" shelter in Chicago is where the dog ended up.
"She was covered in this clear grease. It was the strangest thing, just laying in a little crate in a back room," Kitchens said.
Wish Bone volunteers brought Pandora, along with 15 other dogs, back to Bloomington. Pandora was by far in the worst shape.
Kitchens said, "I said, 'We have to get her to the vet right away.' (She was) very close to death, very close to death. Doctors said normally you'll find some fat around the organs and abdomen. (She) had no fat all all. I mean nothing."
Pandora went through a successful surgery and is receiving IV fluids.
Still, her body weight is around 40 lbs., about half of where it should be, according to Kitchens.
You can see her fur sinking in around her bones because of the starvation.
"She's a great dog. Really sweet. It's amazing after what she's been through that she could be so good," Kitchens said.
But with such an intensive and costly recovery , Wish Bone is appealing to the public for help.
"It is a strain, but we think it's worth it and usually the community helps us out, and that's why we do what we do," Kitchens said.
The hope is this once abused dog can be loved again by a new adoptive family in about a month.
Kitchens said, "Every animal deserves a chance."
Click here for how you can take action.
