Princess, Dead Dog Walking
Submitted by For The Love of the Dog
Up to now it’s obvious that there’s been no ‘royal’ treament for Princess in her life. Found starved near to death, locked in a kennel, weighing only 75 lbs, half what she should weigh, Princess more closely resembles a concentration camp victim.
In this heart breaking story out of Knoxville, TN, a neighbor called Knox County Animal Control after spotting the female Great Dane in a kennel while working on his roof.
The dog was seized by animal control who said the dog could barely stand, it had sores on its hindquarters where it hadn’t moved, and they could count every notch on its spine from the base of its neck to the tip of its tail. There is also a huge swelling on its front leg that they don’t know what it is yet.
Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter manager Amy young was initially called to put the pathetic dog down by Animal Control Officer Carl Bolton because of the severely deteriorated condition she was in but she couldn’t do it.
“We took the euthanasia solution with us, and just couldn’t do it,” Young said. When Young and Blankenship arrived, the dog was so sweet natured and loving, “It was all she could do to wag her tail.”
“She was trying to stand up and couldn’t, so she used every last bit of energy to wag her tail and at point that was it she had me,” Young said.
The dog’s owner is currently in rehab and the owner’s aunt was supposed to have been feeding her. The dog has been starved for months but right next to her kennel in a covered trash can were bags of dog food meant to feed her.
As for the people that did this, Animal Control Officer Carl Bolton promises action, soon. He expects to serve warrants no later than next week.
“This is like a dead dog walking,” said shelter employee Rosemary Blankenship.
Thanks to the heart of the shelter manager and workers, it looks like Princess may have a second chance.
The dog — which neighbors said was named “Princess” — was taken to a veterinarian Tuesday. The vet said the dog’s willingness to eat was a good sign of its chances of recovery, and it should be fed a hardy meal of chicken, white rice or small canned potatoes every hour. Young is taking the dog home to care for it, and a full recovery could take up to six months, she said.
The dog also has a large swelling around its left forearm, but doctors weren’t sure of the cause. Young said it could be a break that didn’t heal, or it could be bone cancer, and Princess may need an amputation. An X-ray on the swelling could be done after the dog gains weight, Young said.
The Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter is seeking donations of food — white minute rice and chicken broth — and blankets, since Princess’ wound will require changing of sheets. To help, contact the shelter at 526-6925 or visit www.kwasonline.com.
Even if the caregivers were cited for cruelty or neglect, current Kentucky laws would make it only a misdemeanor. A proposed bill known as “Romeo’s Law,” named after a beaten Pulaski County dog, would make dog or cat torture a Class D felony, punishable by one to five years in prison. It has passed the Senate and House Judiciary Committee and is waiting to be voted on by the full House. (The Times Tribune)
This is just one more reason that we need to have stronger laws passed and passed ASAP! No one should be able to get away with doing something like this to any living creature! If the neighbor had not seen this dog she would have died in that kennel and if not for the goodness of those in the shelter, she would have been put down without knowing the love she so deserves to have.
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September 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
i was wondering how the dog was doin,and also that i got goose bumps and tears in my eyes when i found the pics of the poor dog.why,why do people treat animals like this,do they feel powerfull when they do this, its just unhuman how do they sleep…thanks ang god bless the animals everywhere
September 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
How is “Princess” now I cried when I read that article
September 28th, 2008 at 3:42 am
here’s an update:
http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_235093505.html
October 16th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Do you have after pictures? We would like to know how Princess is doing. From the caring kids of Graves County Middle School.
October 18th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
How is she doing? she looks pretty bad in those pictures…do you have any after pictures?
October 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I was so saddened by this story. I couldn’t keep from crying. I myself have had a Great Dane and now have a English Masstif, and couldn’t imagin them being like that.
I am currently in school to become a Animal Control Officer and it just makes me sick to see this sort of thing. I hope this owner got jail time. How is she doing? Good I hope. If possible could you send a picture of her now. Im doing a report on careers and i’m useing this picture here in it and would like to see one of her now. Thanks Mindy Deuel
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
how is she doing? i wld love to send a donation if possible!
November 11th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
OMG!!!! im cursing those heartless babarians 4 putting princess into such a state… i reali hope tat she has regained the nutritions she needed… god will reali bless those who helped princess in her survival… n may those heartless creatures suffer the same fate princess did!!!
November 17th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Hi,
I am a big animal lover and just reading this article it made me dearly sad that I had to leave work and go see my pup. I hope that princess is doing fine now. I would like to have a picture sent to my e-mail to see how she is. She is strong willed and good for her that she found a caring owner.
I myself have a 6 weeks great dane. his name is pinto and he is my baby boy. I also adopted a german shepherd/ husky not too long ago.
Please send after pictures.
Juan
November 24th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
hop she ok can we see up dates off her
November 30th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Oh my god…poor Princess was put down, if you read the update…she gained weight but the cancer in her leg, though it was amputated, moved to her lungs… that is just absolutely heart breaking… I can’t stop crying… the owner basically got away with a slap on the wrist. That is just so disgusting… How could someone do that to such a poor, sweet thing? Poor Princess! HE ought to be starved to the point of grotesque physique!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
these sad things are the reason why im going into vet school, to help and save these animals whom owners couldnt be responible enough to take care of an animal, i wonder sometimes if the people that harm these animals have a heart at all.
-monica janine johns
December 15th, 2008 at 3:17 am
this story reale mad eme cry. After work I went home and hugged my dog so strong that he thought Im going to choke him..
At least I wish all the best to the people who made the last months of Princess life happier!
January 5th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Oh my god that poor dog.How could any one do that to a poor dog like that.That is just sick.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Here is an update on Princess from the “Times Tribute”, the local paper that covered the original story:
The Tri-County was home to several high-profile animal cruelty cases in 2008, including the case of Princess, a Great Dane that was found in April in Knox County.
Lexington veterinarian Dr. Craig Blair took in Princess free of charge after she was rescued near Corbin on April 8, barely alive and starved to half her appropriate weight. One of the dog’s legs was later amputated because it had been overtaken with a cancerous growth. Princess then seemed to be doing well, adding about 20 pounds to her approximate 75-pound weight at the time of her rescue.
But in June, Princess was euthanized because the cancer reached her lungs.
Princess’ story reached audiences across the nation. It also brought attention to the work of Knox County animal control and the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter, which saw an increase in donations and adoptions after the Great Dane’s rescue.
Virgil Whitaker, Princess’ owner, pleaded guilty in Knox District Court in August to second-degree animal cruelty charges. He was to serve 90 days of home incarceration with a 12-month probated sentence in one of the county’s few, if not first, animal cruelty convictions.
…..
Rest in peace Princess, may you find a better life.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
A small note to show appreciation to those who take the time and love to care for these animals who did not have any choice in their own fate - SADLY.
It is terribly UNFAIR what happened to princess, to her and so many other animals who are un-noted.
This has inspired me to start fund raising to assist organizations with the “know how” to care for these abused animals, pets and wildlife alike, until they can find proper loving homes or be rehabilitated back into wild.
I would like to encourage more people out there to try and make a difference. A little goes a very long way.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
What type of dog is that? Great dane?
January 18th, 2009 at 11:16 am
hi
i have to say that this article devistated me. how can anyone be so cruel.
i have only recently started college and im studying animal management. this story has really erged me to do well and make a career out of make sure people like princess’ owner get what they deserve.
i cant beleive what that poor dog had to go through and hats off to the people who tryed to help her.
i myself have two dogs and could not bare to think of them in the same state as princess.
i really cannot express my anger for what happened to princess. its simply disgusting.
lets just hope that things change because treating animals like this is wrong and getting away with a slapped wrist is not acceptable
rest in peace princess and lets hope that the next life gives you better!!!
January 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
this is so cruel!i can’t believe that a person would ignore and starve a loving creature.thank god the person fixing their roof found her!!!
THE TRAGEDY OF PRINCESS WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR
LIFE.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:51 am
That is the saddest thing I have ever read. It infuriates me that that a-hole didn’t get any jail time. What a beautiful Dane she’d be if she would have recovered. What the hell is wrong with some people? I’m about to adopt a Dane from a local rescue, so this hits me really hard. I’ve loved animals all my life and I couldn’t imagine letting them miss even one meal. Why can’t some people realize that if you’re not going to take care of your pet, give it to someone who will, or just don’t get one at all! I hope Virgil Whitaker burns in Hell.
Blessings to poor Princess. I hope she’s happier.
Eviscia
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Please tell me how Princess the Great Dane is doing. I could not help my self…the tears wouldn’t stop pouring out of my face. I am an agriculture education teacher who teachings small animal science in Illinois. I was making a PowerPoint of dog breeds, when it came time to find Great Dane pictures your photos came up. I was talking to a student, just today, about animal rights and welfare and not knowing how to teach the subject. I told her that I am doing some research on the topic. Princess is allowing me to become more angry to people who abuse their animals, and think there is nothing wrong to what they are doing. But please tell me how princess is doing. caraos@lw210.org
January 24th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
For those who wanted to know the outcome:
Great dane’s owner sentenced
Whitaker gets 90 days home incarceration, 2-year probation
By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor
The owner of “Princess” the great dane pleaded guilty in Knox District Court Thursday to second-degree animal cruelty charges.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, 39-year-old Virgil Whitaker of Knox County will serve 90 days of home incarceration with a 12-month probated sentence. He will be put under a two-year probation and will face regular drug testing. If Whitaker is found guilty of any crime, including a misdemeanor, he could serve the 12-month sentence in jail.
“It’s one of the few, if not the first, convictions that’s happened in Knox County for abuse of a dog,” said Knox County Animal Control Officer and Constable Carl Bolton. “I’m tickled with what we got. It’s a start.”
But not everyone was pleased that Whitaker could avoid any jail time.
“I am very disappointed in the Knox County court system,” said Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter Manager Amy Young. “I feel like they let the dog down, and us down, and all the people who cared for her, all the people who came out to support her. I think I can say on behalf of them that we are all disappointed.
“It just bothers me that this guy can get up off his couch and get something to drink whenever he wants,” she said. “If he were in jail, he’d have to ask for it.”
When she was found by animal control on April 8, in a pen outside Whitaker’s house, Princess weighed only half her recommended weight. After she was taken to the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter, she garnered state and national attention. Donations poured in to the shelter, and a Lexington veterinarian even gave Princess a home while she recovered.
One of the dog’s legs was later amputated because it was overtaken with a cancerous growth. Princess then seemed to be doing well, adding about 20 pounds to her approximate 75-pound weight at the time of her rescue. But in June, the cancer reached her lungs and Princess was euthanize.
In a court appearance that same month, Whitaker declined to plead guilty and requested a jury trial, which would have been held Thursday.
Bolton said the county continues to receive an average of 15 phone calls a day on abused and abandoned animals. Fuel costs have forced him to cut back on his patrols, he said. No further animal cruelty charges have been filed in Knox County since Whitaker’s case, he said.
“The county is trying, the fiscal court is trying, to take care of these animals with what we have to operate with,” Bolton said. “I was pleased with the fact that we got a conviction.”
Whitaker was charged with animal cruelty about a month before Romeo’s Law took effect, which makes animal cruelty charge a felony in Kentucky.
Samantha Swindler can be reached at sswindler@thetimestribune.com
January 25th, 2009 at 2:35 am
someone has to pay for this!!!!!!!!!!!!…..i dont understand how some people in this era can do this sort of stuff…….
January 26th, 2009 at 1:10 am
I hope whoever did this gets the same treatment as this poor dog! 90 days without food sounds fine.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
she’s dead now cuz of the cancer in her leg (it reached her lungs) they spent alot of time and money trying to save her
and the guy didnt even get a day of jail. princess suffered alot for a very long time, but at least she died knowing some form of love and care.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 am
WOW thats the kind of dog that i want and it just kills me to see the harm some dogs go through. the owner should have served time. the owner should have put the dog in a shelter while he/she was gone not leave it up to someone else. Good Job neighbor and Amy Young thanx.
RIP. Princess
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 am
O my gosh that is the worst way to treat a do!!Im sorry that shes dead:(
February 7th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
That’s horrible tho do such a thing to a dog. 75 lb. is so light for a great dane. I have two at home and they way over 100 lb and they almost don’t way enough.
February 11th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Jesus!
Thats just discausting!
I hate when humans do that, i’m sooo unproud of humans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Personally I think the person who was supposed to be feeding her was at fault. With a name like ‘Princess’ its safe to assume the dog was spoiled, or at least meant to be. The guy went to rehab to clean up and better his and his dogs life, it was his aunt who neglected her responsibilities.
I think coming home to a dead loved one would have been punishment enough for the poor guy, but definitely think the aunt should have gotten jail time and her rights to own or care for an animal taken away.
I also think a vet should be a little more professional, whether a dog can or can’t be saved should depend on condition not public relations. The law allows animals to be euthanized for a reason; because its humane. Which is more than I can say for any part of this article.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:57 am
omg i wonted to cry wen i sor this grate danes are my favret dog and i carnt bleive that som 1 cud do that to such a lovey dog, they shud be shoot for doin that. I hope prinsess is ok now as she deserves the best cear ever now xxx
February 25th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
To me that is just pure abuse and cruelty!! That is why I try and help animals all over.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
To the state of Kentucky:
What primitive laws you have to allow irresponsible pet owners like that go free after abusing their pets!!! My gosh, just look at yourselves. Poorly established legal system. Sad flaw.
Ever thought of what might happen if the owner gets another dog? History might repeat itself. And this is so wrong. Don’t take care pets if you can’t take care of yourself (Hello, owner was in rehab!). And the owner’s aunt…need i say more??? If there was a swelling on her leg, they should have sent her to the vet IMMEDIATELY in the first place. She might have been saved if the cancer was detected earlier. What atrocity!
To the neighbour, i salute you. When something’s wrong, act right. And you did just that.
To the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter, your efforts should be applauded. You guys are like the knights in shining armour of all the animals out there. Please keep it up because you are the most noble of the noble.
Are there rehab centres for abusive pet owners? The owner should check in to that one as well.
If the court really doesn’t sentence the offender to jail, then really, Kentucky is good for nothing but Colonel Sanders’ chicken.
March 5th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
i am touched by this story. that poor dog going through so much and still struggling forward. i am so happy she wasn’t euthanized. she even looks sweet in her pictures, how is she doing now? do you have any pictures? seeing my dogs, healthy and energetic makes me want to cry seeing this dog getting barely the touch of a human hand for most of her life.
March 7th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
This story just made me sick. I have a recuse Great Dane, but she was nothing like this. I do not understand how people can do this to a animal.
All this dog wanted was to be loved and care for. This person should be hung.
March 14th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I WAS SEARCHING GOOGLE FOR PITCHURES OF GREAT DANES BCAUSE II WANT ONE AND I WANTED TO SEE HOW BIIG THEY REALLY GOT, N II SEEN THIIS IIMAGE..IITS HORRIIBLE HOW PEOPLE ARE II FEEL SO BAD, THESE PEOPLE SHOULD B ASHMED OF THEIIR SLEVES
March 16th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
that is so sad i wan’t 2 cry!!!
March 16th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
that is so sad i almost cryed!!
March 17th, 2009 at 7:28 am
oh… that is so sad. i have chihuahua and i love her. so, i want 2 cry.realy…
March 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I thought she would make it. she seemed really adorable and loving!
March 26th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
i feel so bad for all of the great danes that are so skinny and me and my lil sis got so mad that the owners of those dogs could do that to living anamils
March 28th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
wow, this story is shocking…please send or post up dates on the precious dog…no animal should ever be treated this way,I hope the person responislbe is punished severly.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Just happened to stumble upon this article and am so saddened.
I have two Great Danes….Sam and Lola. Sam is a rescue dog and he makes me proud everyday….he’s such a kind and loving young man.
I hope you get justice for this poor dog….and for all the others who suffer so needlessly.
Run Free Princess….no more pain and fear now.
Lisa, England.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
i wz lookin at pictures ov great danes cuz i want 1 n i saw tiz n it mad me cry so hard. y would someone do something to a poor dog!
April 19th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I hope one day that people will understand that other creatures, other than themselves, have feelings. People need compassion. It’s been said on here many times, but, I truly hope those people are ashamed of themselves for what they did.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
What annoys me the most about seeing cases like this is that the person who did it will definitely get away with it! There is no chance what so ever that the person guilty of this sick crime will ever be brought to justice. I don’t understand why we can’t just put legislation in place that does more than just inconvenience these cruel people. The punishment should be a huge deterrent and not something that is laughed about over breakfast the day after court. The fact that we cannot rely on the system to take care of these people accordingly says to someone like me that we should intervene. I would love to join a club that consisted of meeting up once a week to pick the worst animal cruelty case in an area and then paid them a visit to show them how much it hurts to be so badly treated.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:32 am
People who let things like this happen don’t deserve dogs. They deserve to be shot.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Heres a update if anyone still reads this! This is the update i found when i googled here.
Sadly, on June 18th, Princess had to be euthanized. The cancer that was in her legs had spread to her lungs. Doctors had amputated the leg to try to stop the spread of the disease and for a while she was doing well, even gaining quite a bit of weight.
She was given a dignity in her death that she was never given in her life and kindness in her last couple of months.
On August 21, 39-year-old Virgil Whitaker of Knox County, pleaded guilty to second-degree animal cruelty charges. Whitaker was sentenced to 90 days of home incarceration with a 12-month probated sentence. He will be put under a two-year probation and will face regular drug testing. If Whitaker is found guilty of any crime, including a misdemeanor, he could serve the 12-month sentence in jail.
“It’s one of the few, if not the first, convictions that’s happened in Knox County for abuse of a dog,” said Knox County Animal Control Officer and Constable Carl Bolton. “I’m tickled with what we got. It’s a start.”
But not everyone was pleased that Whitaker could avoid any jail time.
“I am very disappointed in the Knox County court system,” said Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter Manager Amy Young. “I feel like they let the dog down, and us down, and all the people who cared for her, all the people who came out to support her. I think I can say on behalf of them that we are all disappointed.
“It just bothers me that this guy can get up off his couch and get something to drink whenever he wants,” she said. “If he were in jail, he’d have to ask for it.”
Unfortunately for Princess, Whitaker was charged with animal cruelty about a month before Romeo’s Law took effect, which made animal cruelty charges a felony in Kentucky. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just another ’slap on the wrist’ sentence but I guess we have to be thankful that it is something….
Rip Princess
April 28th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
i feel that people like this should be ashamed people who just lock dogs up with no food, water, and no home should be fined ( at the least ). If i could i would search under every rock for that person, but unfortunately i cannot do so. i highly respect this program for helping this dog and i want you to know i am thinking of this dog in my thoughts and prayers, i give all my hope to Princess , i really hope she will make it!!
April 29th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Tis is 1 of da worst picz i’ve eva seen! i hope she recovers VERY soon and if i find out who did this i will not rest untill they’re dead coz dat wat dey deserve! It makes me feel sick!!
God Bless You ‘Princess’ i love you and wish you forever love and happiness in the future .
xxxmegxxx
May 1st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
poor dog
May 5th, 2009 at 12:17 am
I AM crying. How could you be SO cruel and hurt an innocent animal so badly? All that dog wants to do is give love, and someone thought it was okay to slowly torture it when it has no voice to speak out. These “owners” should be locked in a cell for months just like they did to this amazing, poor animal.
May 5th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I was sickened to the point of vomiting. This is the worst case of animal cruelty that I have ever seen. I can not imagine someone in this world being so heartless. Serious psychological evaluation needs to or needed to be done on that poor dog’s “owner”. We should have far more severe punishment for animal cruelty.
May 7th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
whoever would make this dog suffer like that is sick in the head. that is so sad i cant even stand it
May 10th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
why in the world would a human being that a poor dog starve too death?!?!?!what if that was them dying of starvation…how would they feel???thats just soo wrong…it makes me cry too see a dog like thiss!!!!!
May 11th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
the people that did that should be charged with murder because im sure that they wouldnt like it if someone did that to them, their a discrace to they economy. fuck them ass wholes BYE BYE BYE !!!!!!!!
May 19th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I found a Great Dane once and my dad said he was really skinny but he looks fine compared to this poor little starving suffering dog. When I saw this picture I cried. The hope person that did this goes go to HELL.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I meant to say “I hope the person that did this goes to HELL”
June 10th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Omg!!!!!!!!!! the poor thing! it amazes me what god allows people, or animals to survive from…. i hope that shes doing well and is very happy.
many blessings!
June 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Animal cruelty deserves JAIL TIME!!!!!!!!!! How can people not see that the life and love of an animal is just as valuable as a human’s life. If the same thing was done to a child, the person would have gone to prison for life. When I read this article I was hoping for a happy ending, but sadly Princess passed, however I am thankful she was showed some kind of love before she left this earth. R.I.P. Princess
June 11th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I would only say God Bless the Person who is taking care of the poor baby now & God please forgive the one who has done this to her AMEN.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
It is terrible that someone would do this to a loving companion and friend. Such a beautiful creature should not be treated this way. Whoever did this should be put in jail, because this abuse was uncalled for!
June 13th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I’m so sad this dog is treated like that.I used to take care of great danes in leoma tennessee and all of my dogs had so much more weight.
June 13th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
What a loss of a great dog what is up with some people. I have 2 Rotts with Leishmainasis < sorry spelling and i would give the world to help them. Also this great dog cost money,WHY mess it up????
June 14th, 2009 at 8:38 am
omfg when i read this i was so mad i wish i knew the person that did this but im glad god gave hem a 2nd chance
June 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
This is the worst shehad like no organs just skin and bone. Tht is so so so sad i hope shes oka tht made me sooo sad how can any1 do tht!!!!!!!!!!!poor baby tht owner needs further punishment than 5 years MIN!!!!!!omg
June 17th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
): wow, this made me come to tears. Why would anyone ever treat any creature like that. If they can’t take care of pets then why’d they get one in the first place! I can’t beleive some people.
June 21st, 2009 at 12:06 am
This person who did this to the poor dog will burn in hell, God will see to it that he does.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
i started 2 cry
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
what is up with people like this so heartless as a dog lover i dont think anyone should own animals unless they are willing to give them full attention
June 29th, 2009 at 2:35 am
subject the monster to the same conditions he subjected the poor animal to. may he rot in hell.