Cruel Intentions

This came across one of the dog lists I’m on about a dog that the US Rescue Organization took in.

Quoting Mariann Stone’s post (cross posted with permission):
Just when you thing you have seen it all, heard it all, something new surprises you beyond belief. RRUS rescued a nine month to year old female from a kill shelter in Missouri with what appears to be a man-made ridge down her back.

Eliza and her two brothers were picked up by a kill shelter in Missouri after running loose for approximately two weeks. The shelter keeps the dogs/cats for five days and then on or about day six they are euthanized. Both brothers have beautiful, perfect RR ridges down their backs. Eliza has no natural ridge.

Because of the ridges, I received a call regarding the rescuing of these three pups. At that time Eliza’s scar was described as a long scar down her back. It looks like someone tried to give her a ridge is what was said to me. I was also told it was well healed although still sensitive to the touch in places. When the puplets were picked up, sure enough, there was a long scar down her back. It was well healed and did not appear to be traumatic injury in nature. And it went literally down the middle of her back.

With a visit to the Veterinarian for check-ups, vaccines and chipping, I was informed the scar on Eliza’s back was not from an injury. It was a burn. The Vet was unclear as to whether it was a hot or caustic liquid, but something was poured down her back. When I asked if this was an accidental burn or an intentional burn, my veterinarian stated I can only hope in my heart someone would not do this to a living, helpless animal. He then stated I believe it to be intentional. The line down her back is near to being perfectly straight and it runs to near perfect down the center of her back. It is thicker in the beginning and the hind leg area (end) which is usually seen with pouring of liquids. Some horrible person wanted to make this beautiful girl like her brothers.

Through all this Eliza still loves people and only wants to love and be loved. She will be going to a Forever Home when her foster mom believes she is ready. She is receiving hugs, kisses and a lot of belly rubs. Eliza is learning how to be a confident, wonderful RR. Most of all, Eliza is learning there are good caring people in her big scary world and she can trust them. Eliza is learning she is an individual pup and not expected to be or look like her brothers.

I wanted to tell Eliza’s story because as a group we need to be aware and try to combat animal abuse however we can. Education of young and old, talking to friends or anyone and encouraging all to report abuse. And not being afraid to stand up and stop abuse for the breed we love or any other living defenseless being.

I think this speaks for itself and I can’t read it without tearing up. Ridged or not our dogs are living, feeling, loving, breathing, hoping for a cookie, sneaking on the bed, poking in the crotch, digging in the garden, chasing the cat, napping on the couch, running in the park, jumping in the slough, chasing the bunny, wouldn’t trade you for anything friends. You don’t pour hot burning liquid onto friends to make them into what you think they should be.