If you know anything relating to this dog, or if you saw anyone dropping off a dog in the Locust-Jackson area of South Bend on Tuesday, the Humane Society is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who abused this dog. Call the humane society at 574-255-4726.
This is only the second time a reward has been on the table – that shows you just how much they want justice for this puppy.
“This should never have happened in our community, it's inappropriate, it’s inhumane," said Dr. Carol Ecker, the director at the St. Joseph County Humane Society.
Ecker said it took some nerve to hurt this young poodle mix.
"This should never have happened to this poor animal," she said.
Around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon a neighbor that lives on Jackson Street found a dog in a crate alongside the road.
That neighbor called the humane society, an officer came out and he found the dog.
They say the dog was in very bad shape.
"This is a case where someone didn't care, had to be,” Ecker said. “Because you couldn't get a dog looking like that in a couple days, that took a couple months.”
When the human society found the dog, it was in a green crate – the dog was still alive. They say he was still warm, meaning the dog was not outside in the cold very long.
But the puppy suffered from several sores, bruises and a chronic skin condition.
“There were some large sores on its back,” Ecker said. “It’s very possible this dog was chewed on."
Ecker said the poodle mix had no muscle or fat left on its body.
"We went ahead and put it to sleep," she said.
The humane society has seen the worst of the worst – in this case, they say someone allowed this dog to deteriorate.
"They shouldn't have animals if they can’t care for them,” she said. “I'm sorry, go to K-Mart and get a stuffed animal."
Ecker is asking for your help. She's hopeful someone, anyone, will come forward.
"I think the public’s responsibility is to tell us,” Ecker said. “We investigate cruelty, we need to go out there and find these guys."
If you would like to add to the reward, the Humane Society will accept the donation.
