Pit Bull

Follow up Dec 21



The scrawny, nearly frozen pit bull that defied the odds has become the hit
of the emergency animal hospital, whose staff decided not to charge the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for his care.

That news came Monday; on Tuesday, SPCA investigators charged the dog's
owner with cruelty to animals.

Instead of trying to raise the more than $1,000 to cover vet bills, the
hospital workers are encouraging local residents to donate to a general
cruelty fund at the agency to help other hard-luck cases down the road.


From Our Advertiser





When the emaciated dog was brought in last week, he was unconscious and his
temperature was so low it wouldn't register on the hospital's thermometer
for more than six hours. The staff nicknamed him Charlie Brown.

Dog control officers rescued him, but no one's hopes were high that he would
survive, said Heather Estey, practice manager at the Veterinary Medical
Center of Central New York, in Syracuse.

"He broke all of our hearts when they brought him in," she said. "There was
not a dry eye in the clinic, and we decided to put all we had into this
dog."

Once they realized the extent of his neglect, they concluded it was amazing
he lasted as long as he did.

"Most dogs would have succumbed," Estey said. "He must have an enormous
spirit."

The dog was hypothermic and drastically underweight. Intravenous fluids,
deworming medication, antibiotics and regular meals have helped get him back
on track, she said.

"This dog had no body fat or muscle reserves," Estey said. "He was basically
skeletal."

But even before the chocolate brown dog was able to stand, he acknowledged
the care he was getting, she said.

"If he thought you were coming over to see him, his tail would start
wagging, and he'd try to get up," Estey said. "He is as sweet as the day is
long and just showers everyone with kisses."

SPCA officials charged the dog's owner, Jamar L. Lacey, of 739 N. Alvord
St., Syracuse, with two counts of animal cruelty, cruelty investigator
Betsie Puffer said.


From Our Advertiser






One charge was for Charlie Brown. The second count was because investigators
discovered another pit bull at the house, living in squalid conditions with
no food or water. They confiscated that dog, too, Puffer said.

Lacey is scheduled to appear Jan. 4 in Syracuse City Court, she said.

Animal hospital staff and Syracuse police believe Charlie Brown had been
used in illegal fights. His ears, muzzle and all

around his eyes were covered with dozens of puncture wounds.

Given his temperament, "it wouldn't appear he fought back. It just looks
like he was bitten and bitten a lot," Estey said.

X-rays determined the dog had a badly broken front paw that had never been
set and may need surgery to have it amputated once the dog is healthy, she
said.

He favors that leg but has learned to get around despite the disability. "He
just had to learn to make do and he did," Estey said.

The dog cannot be cleared for adoption until his owner signs a form
surrendering it, or a judge determines the SPCA should be given custody.