Reward Offered in Case of Dog Beaten, Starved, and Thrown From Car

A reward is being offered for the person or persons who severely abused a dog in Hart County then dumped the dog on the side of the road.

On Tuesday, WLHR News was there when Hart County animal control brought the emaciated and severely injured white American Staffordshire Terrier to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia.

According to shelter manager Sheri Lockhart, a witness who called animal control saw the dog get tossed out of a moving vehicle and land in a ditch.

“We immediately took her to Royston Animal Hospital where she was seen by Dr. Cato,” Lockhart said. “They took x-rays of her leg and put her on IV fluids because she was so dehydrated.”

In addition to being dehydrated, the dog, now named Magdalan, is about 40 pounds underweight.

“She weighs 40lbs and should weigh closer to 80lbs,” Lockhart said.

But the extent of The dog’s  injuries do not stop there. She not only had cuts and scrapes all over her face and legs, but according to Lockhart, also had numerous old wounds, which the vet said were signs of long-term, severe abuse.

“She has scars and old cuts where the vet believes she was whipped and burned with cigarettes,” Lockhart said. “We believe she was used as a fighting dog or a bait dog. I thought she was about 10yrs old, but the vet said she’s only about 2 and a half. In her short life she’s also had at least four to five litters of puppies,” Lockhart explained.

Magdalan remains on IV fluids, and other medication and is so weak from her injuries and from being starved and beaten, she is only able to stand for a few seconds at a time.

Lockhart said one of Magdalan’s front legs is also badly hurt and the vets think there may be nerve damage.

“If it doesn’t heal right, the vet thinks that leg may have to be removed,” Lockhart said.

The dog is now in a foster home with an employee from the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter who also volunteers with the Hart County Humane Society.

Once her seven-day stray hold is up at the shelter, Magdalan will be turned over to the Hart County Humane Society, a private, no-kill rescue group in Hartwell.

They will continue to nurse her back to health and hope to eventually find her a loving home.

According to Lockhart, word of The dog’s plight has reached all the way to New York City where another rescue group is offering a reward to catch and arrest the persons responsible for the dog’s life of abuse and cruelty.

“A group called, Rescue Dogs Rock NYC, has stepped forward and offered a reward for the person or persons responsible for the suffering this dog has endured,” Lockhart said. “I have also spoken to Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland and he has offered his help to find out who had this dog. We really want to know the history of this sweet girl.”

And she is a sweet girl. Magdalan’s  foster home is home to other dogs and cats, who curl up next to her as she recovers.

“After all she’s been through, she still wags her tail everytime anyone comes up to her and pets her,” Lockhart said.

Lockhart said it will be six months to a year before Magdalan will be healthy again and Lockhart said she has already spoken to Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland who has indicated he is investigating.

Meantime, Hart County Humane Society president Donna Madkiff said they are trying to raise funds to pay for the dog’s long term care.

Madkiff credits the kindness of the shelter employee who has stepped up to foster Magdalan with keeping the dog alive.

“We are not a shelter and we don’t have a kennel, but Tammi, the employee at Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter and our volunteer, said ‘I will take her home and provide for her until she’s well and we can find her a home,’ Madkiff said. “The two reasons this dog is rescued by the Hart County Humane Society is because it has an advocate and a rescue community coming together to provide the care she needs.”

Anyone who would like to donate funds to help with Magdalan’s recovery, can contact the Hart County Humane Society at 706-376-1769.