***UPDATED*** Dog Found with Muzzle Taped Shut, Reward Offered for Suspect Info

[FredFlintstone]

It's shocking how someone could do that, that's really sad

[kellyhound]

Hope the poor dog is going to be fine. he's doing a bit better already.
hope they find that pos that did thid to the dog

Veterinarians in Mount Pleasant caring for the dog found with her muzzle taped shut continue to do everything they can to save the dog's tongue. On Saturday, Caitlyn went through laser therapy to try and save part of her tongue.

According to officials at the Charleston Animal Society, the laser therapy will hopefully reveal good tissue which means she won't lose as much of her tongue. That means a better quality of life for the puppy who has gained national recognition this week, officials said.

Caitlyn, the puppy who has been to focus of hashtags, works of art, thousands of dollars in rewards, and calls for more stringent penalties for animal abusers, has had a whirlwind few days that apparently started Monday when she was sold for $10.

The people who once cared for Caitlyn, who was found in North Charleston this week, say they contacted Animal Control and gave them information on the man who bought their dog two days before she was found injured and abused.

According to the couple, the 15-month-old chocolate Staffordshire terrier mix, who was originally named Diamond, was a rambunctious puppy who caused damage in their home. The owners tell ABC News 4 they were afraid they might be evicted and decided they could not give Caitlyn the attention and training she needed.

A man saw Caitlyn and offered to buy her. The couple says they were in such dire straits that they sold her for $10 on Memorial Day. They say it's one of the biggest mistakes they ever made.

On Wednesday morning, before he left for work, the former owner said he went outside and found the dog had returned to his home. He asked his neighbor to call 911.

The resident called the Charleston County 911 dispatch center and painted a picture of a struggling and distressed puppy that had her muzzle taped shut. The dog's tongue was caught between her teeth.

"I have a dog that's here at my house that I found and the dog's mouth is taped shut with electrical tape, tongue hanging out its mouth, bleeding, and his tongue is completely black," the 911 caller said. "I just don't know what to do."

Officials said they think the dog was stuck in that painful condition for as many as 48 hours before she was handed off to officials at Charleston Animal Society for care.

The former owner said he never thought this could happen.

"No, not ever in my life," he said. "I wouldn't want to see her like that. I mean it kinda upsets me to see her like that."

The couple says it gave Animal Control the description of the man when contacted by them this week because Caitlyn left the couple's home on Monday in good health and on Wednesday she was found bleeding and with her mouth taped shut.

"Don't let me find you," the former owner said of the person who hurt the dog. "That's all I can say, don't let me find you because that's part of my family you just did some foul things to."

By Friday afternoon, Caitlyn was moved into a hyperbaric chamber at Mount Pleasant Veterinary Care Specialists for treatment in the hopes that she would be able to keep her tongue.

"This was intentional," said Dr. Kelli Klein. "Someone was trying to hurt her and they did it. They did what they went out to do. Just thankfully someone intervened so she didn't die."

Officials said her condition was improving greatly since being in the care of the animal hospital, adding she was beginning to want food and water again. She was even picking up her dog bowl on her own and chewing on rawhide. When she was first taken in, officials at Charleston Animal Society said she was not interested in food or water which was making her condition worse.

"I'm making it sound like she's doing so great, and she is, but these are serious, serious injuries," Klein said. "She still has a long way to go. Regardless of whether there are surgeries or not surgeries she will be in recovery for months before she is deemed normal."

National attention to Caitlyn's abuse has led to a reward of up to $6,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the people responsible. The Humane Society of the United States is contributing $5,000 of that amount.

[Azimuth]

I'm not a person who thinks an animal's life is worth more than a human's.

HOWEVER, anyone who does this, or any other intentionally cruel behavior to an animal--any animal, has problems, needs to have their head examined thoroughly, and needs to be severely punished. SEVERELY.

If anyone did this shit or similar to my Peanut (my cat), I would find them and give them a stern talking to. (Harshly edited.)

[rapeWhistle]

Gimme the dude that did that and a roll of duct tape...

[Xfactor]

Someone was tired of hearing a dog bark.

[Azimuth]

Originally Posted by rapeWhistle

Gimme the dude that did that and a roll of duct tape...

Or woman. Duct tape, a chair, and a fucking bat.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

I just hope the original owner doesn't turn out to be full of shit.

[gatagato]

***UPDATE
Her condition is improving

Caitlyn continues to recover from her ordeal, but she is still hospitalized. She has graduated from intravenous fluids and antibiotics to normal food and oral medications. She continues to receive hyperbaric treatments to improve the health of the damaged tissue in her mouth and cold laser therapy to promote healing. She underwent a small surgical procedure on her lip yesterday, but there is not currently a procedure planned for her tongue. We are still waiting to see how well her body will heal on its own.
We have the greatest of hopes for this beautiful girl! Many thanks to the dedicated stff at Veterinary Specialty Care - SC Mount Pleasant, including Dr. Kelli Klein and Dr. Henri Bianucci.
http://imgur.com/gallery/idJJeuh
http://imgur.com/gallery/lNFX3

[Clubhouse]

Somebody is going to be lucky and adopt her..She deserves to be loved and spoilt for the rest of her life.

[woodsetton]

**UPDATE**

http://www.abcnews4.com/story/291785...r-suspect-info