5-Month-Old Sheltie Endures Daily Beatings That Fracture Her Tiny Bones & Skull

I Love My Dog reminds our readers if you see something, say something in cases of suspected animal abuse and neglect, writes ilovemydogsomuch

That’s exactly what a landlord from South Ogden, Utah did recently when he called Animal Control Officers (ACO) to report one of his tenants. The landlord informed officers there were several animals not being cared for in the tenant’s apartment.

After arriving at 21-year-old Victoria Dudnik’s residence, ACO called police officers for backup. Located in Dudnik’s apartment were a severely injured dog, three cats, and a dead kitten wrapped in a washcloth and placed in a box. The 5-month-old Shetland Sheepdog, named Evangeline, was so beaten and sickly, that she was unable to stand up. Police reported the dog “smelled very strongly of infection.” Police also found blood and animal feces all over the floor and on clothing in the house.

An internal medicine specialist at Mountain West Veterinary Specialists, Melanie Thompson, said Evangeline was tortured, as she had a broken jaw, skull fractures, a healed leg fracture, broken shoulder, hip injury, and broken ribs. The pup was also blind and deaf as a result of her severe beatings. Thompson operated on the Sheltie and placed a muzzle on her jaw for several weeks so the fracture could heal. Evangeline received a happy ending because Thompson decided to adopt her. Without Thompson stepping up to help, Evangeline would have been euthanized.

“I just laid eyes on her and had to have her,” Thompson shared. “She was just adorable.”

Police determined the dog to be missing from an animal shelter but Dudnik said she found the dog on the side of the road. She was charged with suspicion of third-degree felony cruelty to animals and four drug-related charges. We thank the landlord for reporting this horrible act of animal abuse and neglect and extend our gratitude to Dr. Thompson.