In Pasco County, Florida, a sheriff’s deputy found an injured dog behind a store in the Fox Hollow area.  The dog seemed to be wandering aimlessly, and seemed to have fresh injuries on him.

Deputy Riyad called in animal control, but decided to stay with the injured dog until help arrived.  He had noticed fresh looking wounds on the dogs face, head and body.  This lead the deputy to believe that the dog may have been used in a fighting ring, as a bait dog.

“Dep. Riyad thinks the dog might have been used for dog fighting,” the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

Some people on Facebook also think that the dog may not have been used as a bait dog, but may have the injuries for another reason.  Some people are saying that if the injuries are only on the dog’s face, he may be an escapee from a kennel or some dog enclosure.  He could have recieved the injuries from that.

“If it’s just face injuries and the dog is nice then chances are the dog got out of a cage or kennel or fenced area and was not used for fighting,” one Facebook user wrote.

No matter what the circumstances, the important thing is that the dog is going to be OK, and no the search is on to see if the dog has a family or not.

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In the video below, you’ll see the wonderful people of Hope for Paws rescuing an injured Pit Bull in the streets. When they found her, she was so scared, hiding in some bushes in the side of the street. There were wounds all over her face and when she stood up, they saw how worse her injuries were. She was clearly abused and possibly used as a bait dog. Watch the video below and see how Cadence was rescued, and how she recovered from all her injuries!

The post This PitBull Was Used As A Bait Dog. Wait ‘Till You See What Happens When She’s Rescued. appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Diamond had been badly abused while she was being used to churn out fighting dogs and likely serve as bait to them. She was put in a shelter, and ended up with the person whom she needed and who needed her the most – the new mom who’s helping her heal from her life of terror. Diamond’s skin is too sensitive to be exposed to sunlight, so her mom makes her protective outfits.

Scars on Diamond’s head and body are from battery acid that was probably used to punish her because she wouldn’t fight. She wound up in Atlanta’s Fulton County Animal Services, whose dedicated staff work tirelessly to find good homes for all their animals. Volunteer Neely Conway posted a bio about her, hoping someone would give this wonderful girl a home.

Diamond loves Sushi…. the cat, that is!

Melinda McGuire was shown that post, and she instantly fell in love. Melinda was going through a rough patch, and had recently had to say goodbye to her 16-year-old dog. When she saw Diamond’s photos and stories she drove to the shelter and vowed to give her a home.

“I was scared, but I forgot about all the joy it brings.” she told Mashable.

Joy, yes, but also unforeseen hurdles. Diamond’s burnt skin was so delicate that she would require extra care when outside. Melinda puts sunblock and moisturizers on her now, but the first day in the sun was a lesson.

“Diamond had been with me about 5 days and was still very, very sick. This was the day that she went outside to lay in the sun, and I realized that wasn’t going to work because her skin was literally becoming too hot to even touch.  The Diva’s very first outfit was actually this ….. a Panama City Beach t-shirt, a bandana….. and a dishtowel.”

Melinda had spare fabric from making her granddaughter a princess dress, so she fashioned a babushka and cape for her.  Diamond wasn’t incredibly please after sitting so long for her first fitting, but she definitely became a fan of her new clothes and the attention they brought.

“If she had not enjoyed wearing her outfits so much, then I think it may have ended that day,” Melinda said.  “But I threw in a pair of the little kid’s sunglasses, and Diamond loved every minute of it.”

Thus, Diamond the Diva Dog.  In addition to protecting her skin from the heat and cold, her floral clothing has also helped protect Melinda and herself from the rude stares of judgmental passersby.

“I had been so worried about people’s perception of her – and I guess of me, as well. I already had one woman ask me why I had done that abuse to her, and I sure didn’t want anyone to assume that Diamond was aggressive on account of her appearance,” Melinda explained. “Instead, people kept coming up to us to ask if they could pat her or if their children could. She became an instant favorite at the vet clinic when she came in with her Sesame Street cape on and sprawled out in the middle of the waiting room.”

When she was first adopted, Diamond had a severe ear infection that required daily treatment for three weeks. Melinda got to be good friends with Dr. Michael Good, who launched the Homeless Pets Foundation, which pulls animals from kill shelters and finds them homes. Now Melinda is using Diamond’s celebrity status for this good cause.

Looking after rescue puppies all day is exhausting!

Here’s the Diva’s fashion show:

Well, not every one can be a winner…

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Oogy became a celebrity in 2008 when he guest starred on Oprah, and went on to become the subject of a book in 2010. He started out life as a bait dog left for dead, but ended surrounded by family members who absolutely cherished him for the last 12 years.

Larry Levin and his 12-year-old twin sons had just said the painful goodbye to their 17-year-old cat Buzzy at the Ardmore Animal Hospital in Pennsylvania when they met Oogy. The badly disfigured pup had been brought in by police who saved him during a drug raid.

“The whole left side of his head was bright-pink scar tissue and looked like it had melted,” Larry told Dogster.

No one knows for certain exactly what happened to the puppy, but it is presumed that he had been used as a bait dog and then left to die at the drug house. Despite his horrific abuse, Oogy was still full of love, and was happy to cover the twins in kisses.

The Levins adopted Oogy, and became bully breed advocates.  They were surprised to find out that Oogy was actually a Dogo Argentino, but that didn’t make a difference when Larry submitted his testimony to a website devoted to victimized dogs.

Oogy’s story quickly went viral, and in 2008 a producer from The Oprah Winfrey Show called to invite them to make an appearance on a Valentine’s Day broadcast.  Larry was thrilled to have the chance to share Oogy’s story, but he knew the only way of getting him to the Chicago studio was to drive.

Ten days after Oogy’s television debut, a literary agent called about a book deal.  Larry had always wanted to write, and this was the perfect opportunity.

“I spent two years writing it,” he said. “They basically gave me as much time as I wanted, or as I needed.”

The book became a bestseller, and Oogy rose to stardom in the dog world.  The book allowed Larry, along with Oogy, to become involved with rescue fundraisers and be a guest speaker at schools.  Kids would learn about Oogy’s sad beginnings, and take up collections for non-profit and rescue groups.

Over the years, Oogy was able to make fewer public appearances because of his health.

“He went through three operations on his skull – the first one to save him and the second one to rebuild his face,” Larry said.  “Then in 2011, he collapsed. They thought it was a brain tumor.”

It wasn’t a brain tumor, but a pervasive infection that required a third surgery.

“Inside his skull, pieces of fur and pieces of his cheekbone from nine years before had become infected. They cleaned it all out, and he survived.”

Oogy was still able to make trips to a nearby prison, where he and Larry were volunteers with New Leash on Life USA, which has inmates learn about dogs and train them so they’ll be more adoptable. Larry would talk with them about dog-fighting.

“They go back into the communities where dog fighting is endemic, and they’ve got this changed view,” he explained.

Larry hates what happened to Oogy, but is glad that it brought them together.

“The worst thing that ever happened to this dog is also the best thing that ever happened to him,” he said. “We’re the missing parts of each other… we’re just a couple of old guys helping each other.”

This is especially true now that the twins have grown up. On March 2nd, Larry shared the sad news with fans on Oogy’s Facebook group that his wonderful boy was gone.

Noah came down from Boston Friday as soon as I called him. Dan pulled a mattress from the second floor –Oogy hadn’t been able to navigate the steps for a long time now– and the four of us spent every minute of the weekend together, sleeping in the family room, eating there, watching movies, going out for short walks. We covered Oogy with kisses. He kissed us back.

This morning I fed Oogy a bison filet. I put moisturizer on his big fat nose and drops in his eyes so they wouldn’t itch, just like I do every day, and I put his warm orange coat on him, the one that Linda gave him, and we went for a ride. He was 100 years old and kept our spirits up through the whole ordeal but he’s gone from us. He didn’t suffer. We went through so much together and I can’t tell you how much he meant to me. He gave me the life I have. He brought me joy every single day for the last 12 years. Every single day. Think about that.

I know this profound sadness is inevitable, and I don’t know how the hole will be filled, or even if it can be, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Your love was essential to him, and he loved you with that unquenchable love that was his essence. Thank you from bottoms of our collective hearts. Hopefully this page will continue to help animals in need. I will be back as soon as I can.

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On November 25, 2014, Karen Herrera from Fontana, Calif., found a white and brown female dog inside a garbage bag tossed on the side of the road. The dog had endured abuse at the hands of her owner prior to getting discarded with the garbage. The dog’s body had multiple bite wounds and patches of missing fur, yet, she had somehow survived the unimaginable and patiently waited on the side of the road for a helping hand.

According to a news release from the Fontana Police Department, Herrera was on an early morning walk when she encountered the injured dog.

“She was there inside the bag. She was scared and cold,” said Herrera. “I patted her on the back of her spine and she started bleeding.”

The Good Samaritan contacted police and waited for officers to come get the injured dog.

The dog has been named Gladys, and authority rushed her to General Dog and Cat Hospital in San Bernardino where she was treated for her injuries. Veterinarians determined she suffers from mange and believe the bite wounds were inflicted because she was probably used as a bait dog while training other larger and stronger dogs fro dog fighting.

Authorities do not know who Gladys’s abusers are, but there is an open investigation and they hope to capture the dog’s abusers.

Glady’s is now recovering at Sunshine Haven Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation and her health has improved significantly. Her mange is clearing up, her bite wounds are healing and she is getting along well with the other dog’s at the center.

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