Props to the Cops and Humane Society Officers

“Dear PoPville,

I don’t know how you decide what to post in Props to the Cops, but wanted to pass along this story about animal cruelty. It is so awful it makes my stomach churn. But props to the cops and WHS/WRL for arresting the person responsible.”

From the Washington Humane Society:

“D.C. resident, Brenda Bullock, was arrested this morning by the Metropolitan Police Department 5th District Warrant Squad and charged with three counts of cruelty to animals following an investigation by Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) officers.

On April 13, three four-month-old pit bull puppies were surrendered to Animal Control Officers. All three were suffering from severe mange, and one, Chase, was extremely emaciated and weak. Chase, along with siblings Haagen Dazs and Klondike, was taken to Dogs And Cats Veterinary Referral & ER (DCVR) for treatment and to document their conditions. The attending veterinarians at DCVR determined that all three dogs were suffering from chronic medical conditions that would have had to have gone months untreated to reach the level of severity that they observed upon admission. Chase, the puppy most severely affected, remained at DCVR to receive emergency care. The other two were taken to the WHS/WARL adoption facility on New York Avenue.

Chase was found to also be suffering from demodectic mange over his entire body with a massive secondary skin infection. He was also emaciated, dehydrated, hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), hypothermic (low body temperature), anemic, hypoalbuminemic (low blood protein) and very weak – unable to walk under his own power for well over the first week at the hospital. Chase was initially given a poor prognosis for survival, as the anemia and skin infections resulted in the puppy becoming septic, which required a full blood transfusion to treat. Over the next 12 days, Chase remained hospitalized in intensive care and eventually improved enough to continue his treatment in a medical foster home, where he remains today.

“By the age of four months, Chase and his two siblings had experienced more suffering than any living being should be subjected to in a lifetime,” said Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO of WHS/WARL. “Cruelty to animals in any form can never be tolerated and the people of our community should know that we will relentlessly pursue those that commit these crimes.”

Klondike is currently in foster care, while Haagen Dazs has been adopted. The three puppies have received more than $9,000 in medical treatment and Chase continues to receive constant veterinary care under the supervision of WHS/WARL medical staff. Members of the community who are interested in offsetting the cost of care for Chase and other animals in need of emergency medical assistance, are encouraged to donate WHS/WARL’s Sophie’s Fund by visiting www.washhumane.org/savingchase.”