Caitlyn, a 15-month-old chocolate Staffordshire bull terrier mix, was a well-known stray in a North Charleston neighborhood. She was left on someone’s doorstep last week with black electrical tape wrapped around her muzzle so tightly that her tongue was caught between her teeth.
The tape was apparently there for three days, according to the Charleston Animal Society, which took charge of the dog’s care last week.
The dog was transferred to Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant on Friday. She started receiving hyperbaric treatments every 12 hours to improve the damaged tissue in her mouth and cold laser therapy to promote healing, Senior Director of Veterinary Care Lucy Fuller said. She underwent a small surgical procedure on her lip Saturday and doctors did a full muzzle reconstruction Wednesday.
Charleston Animal Society posted on Facebook Wednesday morning: “Caitlyn just went under for surgery to her muzzle and lips. Please send positive energy to the hands of surgeon, Dr. Henri Bianucci of Veterinary Specialty Care as he repairs the physical damage she has undergone.”
Also posting: “No longer will she show the horrible signs of abuse that have disfigured her for life! She will receive plastic surgery because she needs it…to keep her food in her mouth and to heal!”
Prayers and best wishes flooded the animal society’s Facebook page after it shared her story.
“We are still waiting to see how well her body will heal on its own,” Fuller said in an email.
Caitlyn is eating on her own after graduating from intravenous fluids and antibiotics to normal food and oral medications.
“We have the greatest of hopes for this beautiful girl,” Fuller said.
The animal society hopes the case will draw attention to animal cruelty and the importance of caring for stray animals. It is also asking the public for donations to a medical fund.
North Charleston police arrested William Leonard Dodson, 41, on suspicion of the crime, said Ryan Johnson, spokesman for the City of Charleston. Dodson faces a charge of ill treatment of an animal involving torture. The crime is punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine, according Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty Aldwin Roman.
CNN News and WCBD contributed to this report. Copyright 2015 WFLA. All rights reserved.
