Animal Abuse Case Database - Case Details Dog neglected and abandoned: Pasadena, CA - US Crime Date: July 05, 2003 Case Status: Open Case Updates: Available - Click Here Case Photos: Available - Click Here Abusers/Suspects: *Suspect(s) Unknown - Need your help!

Case ID: 1590 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in CA (US) Login to Watch this Case

Case Report

The Pasadena Humane Society is posting a reward for information leading to the person/s who abused a pit bull that they found chained to an abandoned building.  He was barricaded in a closet under a stairway in an abandoned building, left without food or water, sentenced to die slowly of thirst or starvation.

The emaciated brown pit bull was rescued July 5 after a neighbor called the Pasadena Humane Society, which rescued the dog and now is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for its mistreatment.

"Our focus in offering a reward is to bring forward the owner so we can find out what the intent was concerning the future of this animal,' said Steve McNall, PHS executive director. "They shouldn't have kept this dog and treated it this way. People who do this to animals will do it to people, and we want that link stopped here.'

The nameless dog is so thin his spine, ribs and hip bones poke through his coat. He is infected with external and internal parasites and has a hind leg that was broken and not set. His condition and the leg render him unsteady on his feet.

McNall believes the dog either was beaten or used in dog fights because of his scarred muzzle and ears, which were all but removed by someone using scissors.

The crude surgery was recent because the remnants of his ears were unhealed and covered with flies when the dog was found at a building in the 1700 block of Walworth Avenue, said Ricky Whitman, PHS director of public relations.

"When they fight dogs they don't want any extra skin for the other dog to grab onto,' she said, "so they remove as much of the ears as possible.'

It's hard to be certain, but they think the dog is about 6 years old, McNall said, and should weigh 70 to 75 pounds rather than his current 55 pounds. The dog is in quarantine and being fed a special diet five times daily to help it gain weight, McNall said.

"He does have an appetite,' McNall said, adding they will neuter the dog and fix its leg in a few months when he is in better shape.

Those who mistreated the dog could face animal cruelty charges, which carry a sentence of six months to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000, McNall said.

"It takes a long time to starve a dog,' he said. "It just doesn't happen overnight.'

If the dog responds to continued treatment and can pass behavioral training tests he could be put up for adoption, McNall said.

"All our dogs are up for adoption if they can pass our behavioral testing program. We don't want to discriminate just because this dog is a pit bull,' he said.

Anyone with information about the dog's owner may call (626) 792-7151, Ext. 113.

Case Updates

References