Two Facebook groups are working to find the owner of a pit bull puppy that was tortured to death after being given away through Craigslist. The dog was found in a park in Quincy, Massachusetts at the end of August and had so many injuries that it had to be euthanized. The veterinarian who examined the pup said that the torture was the work of a “psychopath.”
The list of injuries Puppy Doe sustained is horrifying. “They’re a freak, a total freak,” said Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, the veterinarian who performed the autopsy. “Splitting her tongue, burning her nose, stabbing her eye, it’s the totality of the types of injuries. Not only was she beaten, she was stabbed [and] she was burned. It’s all kinds of injures. It’s a sick mind that can do this to an animal.”
The original owner of Puppy Doe said that she is heartbroken over what happened. “The guilt and responsibility I felt–my heart broke. It was my responsibility to find her a good home,” Laura Hankins told The Boston Herald. “The list of things done to her are just so inhuman and so disgusting. She was the sweetest dog.” Hankins purchased the puppy for $200 in December, but after being told she couldn’t have the dog at her rental, she posted the pup on Craigslist.
The Norfolk County District Attorney wants to pursue charges against the person who abused Puppy Doe. “It is highly unlikely that this level of sadistic cruelty could be shown to one animal and not be part of a pattern involving other animals or perhaps vulnerable people. We need to find the person who did this and see what else they are doing,” said District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.
Two groups on Facebook are seeking justice for the pup, and the groups have about 40,000 followers combined. A reward of $18,000 is reportedly being offered to whoever helps in the arrest and prosecution of person who tortured the pup. People who want to join in spreading word about Puppy Doe and finding her abuser can join Justice for Puppy Doe (1) or Justice for Puppy Doe (2).
A petition has been started to change state laws to ban giving away animals on Craigslist. The petition, called “Justice for Puppy Doe: BAN the rehoming of pets on Craigslist,” wants to make sure no more pets are harmed because they were “dumped on Craigslist.” The petition currently has 30,000 signatures and will be sent to Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster after it receives 50,000 signatures of support.
People who have any information on the case should contact the Animal Rescue League of Boston at 617-226-5610.
Main image via Facebook; Article image via The Huffington Post
