Third Burned Dog Found in Greensboro

My heart sank the other day while reading a highly disturbing Facebook message from my friend Elisa Black-Taylor. Elisa is both a devoted animal rights advocate and a talented author who writes passionately about animal welfare; so I consider her urgent notices as very important. As I read her recent article about the three dogs in Greensboro, North Carolina, who were tortured and burned within the past 13 months, I thought to myself that there is apparently no limits to the degree of cruelty of which humans are capable of inflicting upon animals. The most recent atrocity was perpetrated upon a 2 to 3-year-old black and white Pomeranian-mix who, according to police, was picked up near a park in the 3000 block of Murchie Street by Animal Control Officers. The injured dog was immediately taken to the Guilford County Animal Shelter. In memory of a shelter worker's deceased Pomeranian, the shelter's staff named the dog Bailey. What is really amazing is that in spite of his tragic experience, Bailey still maintains his sweet disposition. Marsha Williams, Executive Director of the shelter thought to herself, "it's just shocking. It can't be another burned dog." But incredulously, it was all too true. The veterinarian who examined Bailey confirmed that the little dog was suffering from second and third degree burns covering 20 percent of his body. Williams commented that Bailey didn't appear to have been a stray for any length of time. While not micro-chipped, he appeared well groomed. According to Williams, in treating the dog's wounds, staff shaved his fur, bathed and bandaged him, and administered medication. Williams said, "same as we did with Phoenix and Susie," citing the treatment received by the two other dogs found burned in Greensboro over the past year. A Pit Bull-mix, Susie, was found in 2009 in Greensboro Park. Similarly, Phoenix, a Pit Bull-Labrador-mix, was found burned on July 18, 2010, and four teenagers were charged in the case. Nearly $8,000 was raised by Susie's fund, which will help defray the cost of Bailey's and Phoenix's on-going treatment, and to also provide care for Chamberlin, an emaciated dog found last week in a backyard in High point. In referring to Susie's Fund, Williams said, "we're very blessed. We would rather not have money to treat things like that, but if we have to do it, then we're glad that we have the funds." As a result of the brutal treatment Susie received, along with an ensuing public outrage, Susie's Law was created through legislative process. The law allows stricter sentences and penalties to be levied for crimes of cruelty to animals. In June, 2010, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue signed the bill into law, which will become effective as of December 1. In Susie's case, Greensboro resident, Lashawn Whitehead, was sentenced to a term of six to eight months in prison. However, Bailey's case remains unresolved. Police are asking the public for help in locating Bailey's owner. Folks with information about Bailey: call Crimestoppers at 252-373-1000. Donations to Susie's Fund are greatly appreciated. Checks made payable to the United Animal Coalition, with "Susie's Fund" written on the reference or memo line can be sent to P.O. Box 8, Jamestown, NC 27282. What causes such depraved wanton animal cruelty? What do you think? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Photo Credit: Wikipedia *A picture of a black and white Pomeranian, but not a picture of Bailey