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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