Investigation started into abuse of pit bull dog
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Animal control officers sifted through tips that came in on the case of a pit bull found tied up, and left to die. On Friday, the dog was doing pretty well after being rescued Thursday morning.
But, the search is on for whoever abused the animal. After seeing news reports, callers reported some leads -- and some said the dog could be theirs.
Karina Ramirez thought the abused dog could be her pit bull that went missing about eight months ago.
"When I saw the news last night, I just started bawling," Ramirez told Eyewitness News. "There was something about his eyes that made me think that it was Cyrus."
Ramirez said she was living near Mt. Vernon Avenue, when the gate was left open, and Cyrus got out. Since then, she's been looking at any stray pits, and hoping that might be her dog.
Ramirez went to the animal shelter to get a look, but the rescued dog wasn't Cyrus.
"It's sad, because that poor dog is a nice dog," she said -- after petting the rescued animal.
Ramirez had a photo of herself with Cyrus. Her dog had white legs, the abused animal has brown ones. Otherwise, the coloring was very close.
The abused animal was found by an animal control officer Thursday morning in a field off Adobe Road, between Sandrini Road and Teale Road. Officers went out, after getting an anonymous call.
They found a situation much worse than they expected, said animal control director Guy Shaw.
"The two back paws were tied together, the front paws were tied together, I believe it was also sort of hog-tied like when you're doing cattle wrestling," Shaw explained.
He said the animal had been tied up with something like thick shoe laces.
"And the muzzle -- the face -- had it wrapped around, and tied with those laces, so it was sort of held down in that way."
Shaw said the shelter medical team had checked over the dog, and he was doing amazingly well.
"Except for being a little thin, the swelling has done done from its paw that was tied and very swollen."
Shaw said the dog seemed to be eating pretty well, and it was well-behaved.
The animal does have a very thick chain connected tightly around his neck, and they're trying to find the best way to get that off.
Shaw said the dog will be held the required number of days, as any stray would. After that, several rescue groups have expressed an interest in taking him in.
Officers are looking over the leads that were called in on Friday, but Shaw said they welcome any additional information. The number to call is 868-7102.
Ramirez was disappointed the dog was not her missing Cyrus, she still hopes he will be found. And she wishes she could give the rescued animal the home it deserves.
As for the person who abused the dog?
"I think whoever did it should be prosecuted," Ramirez said. "Because an animal is your companion."
But, the search is on for whoever abused the animal. After seeing news reports, callers reported some leads -- and some said the dog could be theirs.
Karina Ramirez thought the abused dog could be her pit bull that went missing about eight months ago.
"When I saw the news last night, I just started bawling," Ramirez told Eyewitness News. "There was something about his eyes that made me think that it was Cyrus."
Ramirez said she was living near Mt. Vernon Avenue, when the gate was left open, and Cyrus got out. Since then, she's been looking at any stray pits, and hoping that might be her dog.
Ramirez went to the animal shelter to get a look, but the rescued dog wasn't Cyrus.
"It's sad, because that poor dog is a nice dog," she said -- after petting the rescued animal.
Ramirez had a photo of herself with Cyrus. Her dog had white legs, the abused animal has brown ones. Otherwise, the coloring was very close.
The abused animal was found by an animal control officer Thursday morning in a field off Adobe Road, between Sandrini Road and Teale Road. Officers went out, after getting an anonymous call.
They found a situation much worse than they expected, said animal control director Guy Shaw.
"The two back paws were tied together, the front paws were tied together, I believe it was also sort of hog-tied like when you're doing cattle wrestling," Shaw explained.
He said the animal had been tied up with something like thick shoe laces.
"And the muzzle -- the face -- had it wrapped around, and tied with those laces, so it was sort of held down in that way."
Shaw said the shelter medical team had checked over the dog, and he was doing amazingly well.
"Except for being a little thin, the swelling has done done from its paw that was tied and very swollen."
Shaw said the dog seemed to be eating pretty well, and it was well-behaved.
The animal does have a very thick chain connected tightly around his neck, and they're trying to find the best way to get that off.
Shaw said the dog will be held the required number of days, as any stray would. After that, several rescue groups have expressed an interest in taking him in.
Officers are looking over the leads that were called in on Friday, but Shaw said they welcome any additional information. The number to call is 868-7102.
Ramirez was disappointed the dog was not her missing Cyrus, she still hopes he will be found. And she wishes she could give the rescued animal the home it deserves.
As for the person who abused the dog?
"I think whoever did it should be prosecuted," Ramirez said. "Because an animal is your companion."
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