A dying pit bull was rescued from a wooded area of Hyde Park in Boston on Tuesday night. After receiving a call about a dying dog, rescuers rushed to the scene to discover a canine in terrible shape. The officer who found the dog claimed it was the worst case of abuse he’s seen in 35 years, and assumed she would have died within the next hour or two if they hadn’t found her.
The dog, named Turtle because she was found by Turtle Pond Parkway, was scared, emaciated, suffering from over 60 new wounds, infections, dehydration, and a possible broken bone. Old stitches and scars from previous wounds made it clear that she had been tortured on more than one occasion.
Lieutenant Alan Borgal of the Animal Rescue League of Boston said, “This dog was dumped here to die. These people don’t feel this dog feels any pain, and they don’t care about its suffering.”
Authorities say that Turtle was used as a bait dog. Bait dogs are used to train other dogs for fighting. They are usually confined, and unable to fight back, allowing the fighting dogs to attack and in most cases kill them. Bait dogs are often left dying or dead after they have served their purpose to dog fighters.
Turtle was taken to Tuft VETS in Walpole where she underwent surgery to treat some of her wounds. She has responded well to treatment, and the staff say that she is a good dog. Veterinarian Dr. April Paul said, “She wags her tail anytime someone comes near her." They are hopeful for her complete recovery and after several months of quarantine, they plan to find her a good home.
The Animal Rescue League is offering a reward of $3000 for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for Turtle’s condition. Those responsible face up to 5 years in prison and a $2500 fine.
Comments
The amazing thing about pits is how many of them are like sweet Turtle - having seen the worst of the worst of human nature, she has only kindness to show humans. But I'm puzzled, Kelley. You bio says you're an active member of PETA, but PETA says ALL pitbulls (healthy, friendly, or not) should be euthanized. When I first heard this, I couldn't believe it, but it seems to be true. This is why I (a dog-rescuing vegan) no longer support them.
I own two APBT. these people make me sick. I wish them or their loved one a fait worse then this dogs.
Seeing these stories again and again just makes my heart hurt. It really makes you wonder what these people are thinking when they allow (encourage??) this to happen. So sad. I'm glad that Turtle found the help that she so desperately needed.
To Pit Bull Friend.... P.E.T.A supports a pitbull ban not the needless killing of healthy dogs. They hope to ban them because the pit bull is the most abused dog in the US. If they can ban them they will save thousands of dogs from being abused or killed. Agree or not with this course of action they have the animals best interest at heart.
I disagree completely... Yes it is known that pits are the most abused dog in the US. That is a no brainer.. But to use that as an excuse to take out the entire breed is just b.s. Considering the fact that Peta is the highest kill shelter in the world. Come on and be honest. We need to convict the criminals. I am really tired of ignorant ppl...
I hear this time and time again; a badly scarred pit bull is referred to as a "bait dog". The "bait dog" claim is often used by animal welfare organizations to justify spending huge amounts of money to treat an ex-fighting dog, and to help secure donations from the public. There is NO evidence this dog was a bait dog..this dog may have been on the losing end of several fights, or may have not been kept separated from the dogfighter's other dogs. This dog had cropped ears, and was intended to be a fighting dog. When this dog recovers, she may exhibit dangerous levels of dog aggression, and be very difficult to place in a pet home. Meanwhile, hundreds of other "non-celebrity", highly adoptable dogs will be euthanized in Massachusetts shelters.
'pitbullfriend' show me the link at the PETA site where they say that all pitbulls should be euthanized.
If Peta says all pits should be euthanized I will quit supporting them. diane
Whatever this dog was (whether a bait dog or a fighting dog)it became because the humans who owned it forced it into that role. Even if Turtle was a fighting dog and not a bait dog, he deserves a chance at a better life.
'pitbullfriend' show me the link at the PETA site where they say that all pitbulls should be euthanized.
Curious should get a clue, or better go thru what this dog has been thru. Naiive asses like you are the reason the public are afraid of pit bulls. Any dog can be raised vicious fighting
Any dog can be bread as evil or mean. You are an ass
Curious, they can tell a bait dog because the teeth are either filed down or pulled out. Even if it wasn't a bait dog, and the dog was used to fight, the dog deserved better. On your assertion that other dogs don't get the high profile status and are therefore left with the short end of the stick, I don't see alot of rescues standing up to save pittbulls other than the SPCA's because they have no choice. In fact, most rescues are hesitant to take them on because they are one of the more difficult dogs to place. Going on, most if not all rescues take the demeanor of a dog very seriously as they don't want to see anyone hurt due to a dog that is damaged to the point where they are unpredictable & dangerous. The problem is not the dogs, but our inadequate laws which fail to even come close to adequately penalizing the culprits who participate in abusing, maiming & torturing dogs in the name of a buck and an illicit sport.
who could do something like that they are an ass!!!
Oh yeah any dog can be trained to fight....I wonder how much damage a Yorky can do? I doubt it can kill you, just read the article....I am sure that are good "Pittbulls" out there, but they are far and few..maybe 1 in 100....
On Janets comment, u apparently don't know about pit bulls. People like you are the reasons these dogs have to suffer needlessly. Go to the Library and educate yourself. diane
Janet you really have no idea what the "True" nature of a pit bull is. I currently have 3 bully breed dogs, 2 APBT and one American Bulldog. All three are loving, social, silly members of our family. 2 of them are rescues and show us every single day how grateful they are for being rescued and brought into our family, I'm sure you have probably never had any dealings with a pit bull and are basing your prejudice on what you have read and heard in the news. Did you happen to notice that when the media reports one of their bias stories that you never really hear what the other side of the story is? Like, that the dog had been chained in the backyard for years? Did you know that ALL dogs crave companionship and that the pit bull is no different? No, of course you didn't because you, like the media are so busy spreading lies about the breed that you don't dare take the time to know one! You Janet are just as bad as the abusers because YOU are causing more abuse to this breed once known as "Americas Dog"!!! You, and people like you, make me utterly sick and are the reason I have very little faith in mankind.
My son had a pit bull and he was like a baby so sweet. I hope to see the day that anyone who abuses animals will find life in prison. And if they do special cruelty like bait puppies give them death. No person should be able to live who has a heart like that. I am a nurse and I read the book OOGY and this wonderful animal lived but had complications all his life. I think he represents what is done to these animals. I hope the vet society will get involved and maybe go to congress and get the laws made stronger. Name it OOGY law. God bless anyone who adopts these animals. Diane
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