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Great news! Caitlyn, the 15-month old Staffy-mix that was found last week in critical condition with her muzzle clamped shut with electrical tape, is now recovering from surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to the Charleston Animal Society, veterinarian Dr. Henri Bianucci performed the surgery to repair extensive damage to Caitlyn’s cheek and lips.
The surgery, which took about two hours to perform, originally called for repair to her tongue which appeared to have become irreparably damaged due to loss of blood when it became clamped between her top and bottom teeth while her muzzle was tightly taped. Fortunately, damage to her tongue was less severe than originally thought, and it looks like her tongue, with time, will fully heal on its own.
Surgery to her cheek and lips to repair tears caused by the tape will allow her to keep food inside her mouth and will ultimately help her entire body heal faster.
Veterinarians are also treating Caitlyn with laser therapy and time in a hyperbaric chamber.
The latest, always changing, reports now say that William Leonard Dodson, arrested yesterday morning on charges of animal abuse and torture, purchased Caitlyn from his previous owners for $20. He claims to have taped her muzzle shut to prevent her from barking.
Dr. Bianucci expects Caitlyn to be placed with a foster family while she continues treatment and healing. She is expected to make a full recovery.
Vic
says:Hi,
If anybody here happens to know where this William Dodson resides, where he hangs out, or any details on what he looks like, I would greatly appreciate if you send me this information so I can pay him a visit and beat the living **** out of him. I will be sure to tightly bind his tongue with duct tape and tape his mouth shut in the process as well. Please speak up, as I’m sure you already know a short visit to jail is not nearly enough punishment for such a sick crime. Just post another comment please with the perp’s details if you know them and I’ll take care of the rest. Thanks.
Tami
says:Awesome, Praise God! He should have to pay for all her care and surgery!
sherry callahan
says:I am interested in adopting her.. please contact me!!!
sherry callahan
says:Ill adopt her!!!
judy volker
says:So is someone going to tape that SOBS mouth shut?
julie landmichael
says:we saw her on the news tonight and the surgeonhow did the surgery a “A” offense for the creep how did that to the dog now it is is turn to have is mouth taped
I would love to adopt that beautiful dog.
Robert Cole
says:Let’s tape is mouth shut for about a month. Then slowly cut out his man hood, with a,old dull razor blade. It would make me feel better.
Allan L
says:I think the perp should have his dick and balls tried just as tight for a few days. Make sure he doesn’t reproduce.
Donna
says:Can I adopt her?
Michelle Hubbard
says:Thank God! She will pull through it. Crazy thing is there are dozens of dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, etc. that are being tortured , abused and/or killed by low life losers like that a**hole. What makes it worst he’s looking at 5 yrs and fines, wtf? She’s a dog she’s soppose to bark idiot! Honestly anyone who can do such things like that should be punished as if the animal was a human. Almost every single serial killer, rapist today had has tortured and killed animals before they even committed a crime towards a human. Just something to think about.
Everyone who’s helping her through it are a blessing.
I would adopt her, she would never know pain again! <3
Re: Brandy, I'm sorry for your lost. I know just exactly what you mean since, I had just lost my Great Dane/Mix who changed my life in every aspect in life. I fought the county for him 9 yrs ago. I rescued him when he was 3mo old from an animal shelter who had him posted for adoption on their website. Well when I came in to adopt him they tried to get me to adopt another dog saying he's not for adoption because he was too underweight and couldn't be altered. Telling me he was sick and they didn't know why, etc. I told them why of course "put yourself in his shoes, you'd be depressed too. duh!" They were going just euthanize him. The hell they were. Anyways long story short I won 😀 my question to you Brandy how'd you cope? cause I'm still having a hard time getting over his passing. I don't know if it's because I feel he was misdiagnosed by the worst lazy doctor out here and was put down when he didn't need to be or what? but it's truely hard.
Susan Daniels
says:William Leonard Dodson should have his mouth taped shut, with his tongue caught between his teeth, and left to die.
Thank you so much for keeping us updated on how Caitlyn is doing. Sending healing thoughts and prayers for her to have a swift and smooth recovery, and enjoy a long, happy life in a great forever home. Please keep updated on her progress when you can!
Vicki in NC
says:The FBI just raised this type of animal abuse to a FELONY!!!! May he endure the stiffest time, fine and punishment for this hate crime. It’s a hate crime and he’s a CRIMINAL in every sense of the word. Let’s make an EXAMPLE OF HIM so the next expletive who thinks about committing this type of horrendous behavior is forced to think about it and change his corrupt mind.
pan mckee
says:Thank God for helping the surgan as they made this sweet girl hole again I so would love to take her under my wing and have her as my own
Thank you for your dedication and compassion shown to this furry friend. Happier days are ahead!!
Jane Castellani
says:So very very happy to hear Caitlyn will make a full recovery!!! And, I am just as happy to hear the cruel bastard that did this to her has been found and arrested!!! I always find it so amazing and inspiring when something as awful as this happens to a dog, that they are so willing to trust and love humans again. They truly are amazing and forgiving creatures!! Well done Doc and all of those involved in saving Caitlyns life and from her abuser!! Live long and be happy babie girl…
Gary
says:The cruel, insane inhuman, monster William Leonard Dodson should be in jail, then on trial and then in prison for a long, long time. Mandatory prison or jail time for animal abusers. There’s absolutely no excuse for this. If you don’t want a pet or do not take loving care of it, it’s simple, DON’T HAVE ONE.
Bonnie
says:They should do to him what he did to that poor dog.
I totally agree with you. I just hope the courts do not let this one slide into just getting probationwith the excuse often being that the jails are full. This evil creature needs to spend a long time in prison. Examples with harsh sentencing have to be done inorder to send the message that such behavior will not be treated lightly.
Susan Lundberg
Nancy
says:Thank You All for Saving this Beautiful girl. I pray every day since seeing the very first post that she will be given the life she deserves. I would love to take her into my home and treat her like the queen she is. Best of everything to you baby Girl..
Nancy
says:Thank You to all who saved this Beautiful girls life. May God Keep her safe and Happy for the rest of her life.
briana
says:Such a sad story with an incredible outcome! Prayers for Caitlyn, her smile shows how thankful she is..
Isn’t that the truth! My dog Wish makes everyday-the best reason for living.
I would love to foster care for Caitlyn I really love dogs I really don’t know what a foster care is all about could you please tell me thanks
Lori Brant
says:Can I please adopt Caitlyn?!
Judi
says:Thank you for helping this puppy
Brandy your story is truly inspirational. Our pets give us such an insight to the world around us that we never realized. Glad Molly and Olive are giving you the chance to experience this first hand. I have a golden myself who’s nearing the end of her life. I hope your Olive gives you half the joy our Liberty has brought us.
Brandy Arnold
says:Thank you Randy! I’ve never smiled as much or felt more love than bringing a Golden (actually, 2 now!) into my life. Hugs to you and Liberty!
Cynthia Brunette
says:First and utmost I would like to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. It is one, none of us want to go through. Brandy Arnold, recently I saw a poem for owners who had lost their faithful family member. Wish I could send you the poem but I don’t have it. One thing that I do remember. It was written as that faithful family member was speaking to you. In the end it said, promise me one thing…….give my bowl to the new member of the family. When he/she looks up to you with a smile, know that I am there smiling at the both of you. That touched my heart, and I hope it does the same to yours. Cynthia
Brandy Arnold
says:I’ve seen the poem you’re referring to! It’s wonderful – and perfectly captures how I’m positive our dogs would want us to be happy, to love again, and to bring another dog into our lives. Thanks so much for your comment.
susanne ritchie
says:I am so happy they caught the guy and he needs to pay for his horrible act! Poor dog. I would take him and give him a good home like he deserves. God bless his little creature.
Afsaneh Rahmani
says:This wonderful ending…or should I say beginning….is all due to the wonderful people ! May God Bless Caitlyn on her new journey, and may God bless all the wonderful people who made this possible.
Afsaneh Rahmani
says:Caitlyn
Afsaneh Rahmani
says:This wonderful ending…or should I say beginning….is all due to the wonderful people ! May God Bless Caitlyn on her new journey, and may God bless all the wonderful people who made this possible.
john
says:Poor dog
Phyllis
says:TYVVM for taking care of her , I hope she finally gets a loving home <3 Some people should not be allowed to have dogs !!!
Jennifer duer
says:I’ll foster her!!