Investigators are trying to identify the person who tortured a dog found wandering in Parker County on Monday with its mouth taped shut around its protruding tongue.
"This is horrendous," Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said in a news release Tuesday, asking for information. "I can't imagine what would bring a person to such an evil act. We are fortunate to have found her when we did. Our investigators have seen some pretty terrible things in their careers, but this case is deeply disturbing and leaves us shocked."A concerned citizen called the Sheriff's Department about 8:30 a.m. Monday after spotting the injured dog, described as a 3- to 4-year-old female pug mix, wandering in the 6900 block of Baker Road.Animal control officers searched for hours on horse, foot and four-wheeler before finally securing the dog about 5:30 p.m. near a creek bed.The dog, which has since been named Hope, "had a severely swollen tongue after someone had used electrical tape to forcefully shut her mouth after pulling her tongue out," according to the news release.The dog was taken to Bowie Drive Animal Hospital, where Dr. Kevin Buchanan and his staff used about 100 internal and external stitches to close five cuts that she had suffered. The cuts ranged in length from 1 to 5 inches and had penetrated the muscle tissue, the release says.Hope was also found to be overheated, dehydrated and unable to eat, drink or pant. She underwent surgery, was given IV fluids, and is on pain medications, sedatives and antibiotics.She is expected to survive if she can resume eating and drinking without assistance."Dr. Buchanan told animal control officers that Hope's mouth had been taped shut with her tongue exposed for more than 24 hours and will more than likely lose a portion of her tongue due to her injuries," the release states.Cruelty/torture of a nonlivestock animal is a felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail and a $10,000 fine.Several local businesses are establishing a reward for information leading to the identity of those involved. In addition, Parker County Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or indictment."We are treating this case with the highest priority," Fowler said.To provide information, call the Sheriff's Department at 817-596-8845 or Crime Stoppers at 817-599-5555.Deanna Boyd, 817-390-7655Twitter: @deannaboyd
To provide information
Call the Sheriff's Office at 817-596-8845 or Crime Stoppers Hotline at 817-599-5555.
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
