Puppy with rubber band around its muzzle, rescued by Humane Society of Yuma
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A three month old puppy, rushed to the Humane Society of Yuma after not being able to eat, drink or open his mouth for who knows how long, due to abuse.
He’s just one of the many victims of animal cruelty in Yuma County.
About two weeks ago Tucker, a three month old terrier mix, was brought into the humane society of Yuma by animal control after someone put a rubber band around his mouth, causing a section of his skin to die.
“They noticed that he had an injury around his face, but they weren’t 100 percent sure what it was, so when they sedated him and opened his mouth that they realized there was a physical obstruction,” said Humane Society Doctor, Daniel Muñoz.
The puppy had no collar and no tags and was underweight because he couldn't eat.
“Over those first couple days, we were waiting and seeing how much damage was done and permanently what was going to be left or not, and then I was able to suture his lip closed last Wednesday,” said Dr. Muñoz.
Tucker is now healing in foster care with one of the medical technicians from the shelter’s clinic.
“She’s giving him all the TLC and medications he needs helping keep everything clean, making sure he wears his cone so he doesn’t get to his sutures or is face, so Kacey will continue fostering him until he goes to his forever home,” said Dr. Muñoz.
He is still on pain medications but is expected to have his sutures removed in a couple of days.
The cost of his care could exceed one-thousand dollars.
So, HSOY is asking the community to donate toward the cost of his care as well as for the many other animals currently at the shelter.
“We could not save the animals we are saving these days without the donations of the community,” said Humane Society Director, Annette Lagunas.
An anonymous donor has offered a $1,000 dollar reward for information that leads to an arrest of the party responsible for Tucker's injuries.
So if you have any information about who committed this crime, call the humane society as soon as possible.
