Dog found burned heads to GA. for treatment

NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A badly injured dog rescued by some concerned residents is about to leave the Sunshine State for treatment.

A woman and a rescue group stepped up Tuesday to help the dog found with severe burns, Monday morning. After receiving some treatment at the Skylake Animal Hospital in Northeast Miami-Dade, the dog, now named Bentley, is on its way to a facility that will help along with his continued recovery.

The rescuers said, beyond his burns, Bentley also suffers from significant neurological issues. The facility where he is being taken to in Rankin, Georgia should be able to help him with those specific issues. "As far as what caused this, it's hard to say, honestly," said a veterinarian.

But, soon, it is hoped, the pain and fear in his eyes will go away. "It was horrific, literally was. It looked like something was either poured on him or he was dragged. It's a burn of some sort," said rescuer Sarah Leddick.

A man, who preferred to remain anonymous, found the dog wandering near his home and contacted Miami-Dade Animal Services. The woman who owns the home where the dog wandered from has been cited with animal cruelty. The vet that tended to the dog said abuse is a strong possibility. "I would be cautious to say this is 100 percent abuse, but it would be at the top of my list," he said.

The woman cited in this case said the man who rents a room from her has been taking care of the dog. She said she first noticed the dog was getting sick a few weeks ago. "I told who I believe is the owner that I need him to take the dog to the vet. He can't be on my property because the dog is obviously sick," said the woman, who preferred to remain anonymous.

She also said the man who owns Bentley told her the dog had a rash, and the wounds resulted from a reaction Bentley had to the medicine placed on his back. Animal Services contended that is not at all likely, and the injuries look like burn wounds. Because she owns the home where the dog was found, she was ticketed.

"Hopefully, he'll live out a nice long, healthy life, and we can get to the bottom of what happened," said the vet, "and, more importantly though, if this was an abusive case, find out what happened."

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