Once-neglected dog gets new lease on life after a little tender, loving care
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ELKHORN — On the outside, she's shameful, gloomy and worn-down.
But on the inside, she's loveable, bright and spunky.
Looks aren't everything; ask Lindsey.
The 8-year-old Brittany spaniel-cocker spaniel mix was neglected for several years, resulting in a number of medical problems that until recently threatened her quality of life.
Lindsey arrived at the Lakeland Animal Shelter on March 5 and since has become the poster dog for what can happen when people neglect their pets.
"With her collection of issues, she's a particularly bad case. She's not the worst, but … she's the worst owned animal we've seen," said Kristen Perry, shelter director.
A woman left a carrier on the doorstep of the shelter. The shelter staff tried to get some information about the dog. The woman said very little.
"It needs to be put down," the woman said. "You deal with it."
The shelter staff checked local veterinary records for any information they could find about the dog. They learned the woman had taken the dog to a veterinarian about five years ago for mild itching, patchy hair loss and fleas. The dog was treated and further testing was recommended, but the woman never followed up.
"She wasn't always this way," Perry said. "Given the condition she was in when she was brought here, you'd almost think the woman had to do everything wrong for the last several years. But it's just a lack of follow-up as the issues compounded."
The shelter staff struggled with how to handle such a terrible case.
"The ultimate question was, could she, in spite of all these things, have a good quality of life," Perry said.
If the answer was no, Lindsey would be put down.
But the shelter staff saw something in the little dog—a spark, a light in her eyes, a fighting spirit—that quickly changed their minds.
"Her tail was wagging, despite the one person she was supposed to depend on doing everything but (care for her) for five years," Perry said. "She hadn't given up. Why should we?"
Lindsey was diagnosed with a laundry list of medical problems: alopecia over three-quarters of her body; a yeast infection of the skin and ears, which caused her skin to swell, thicken and fold; and cherry eye.
"Things have gotten so far because they weren't addressed," said Dr. Jeff Korosec of the Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic.
Lindsey already is responding well to treatment, which includes a high-quality diet, antibiotics and a medicated bath. Some of her hair is starting to grow back, she's itching less and she can almost close her eyes. But she's got a long way to go.
Moved by the little dog's interminable spirit, Korosec is donating his services, including what could amount to more than $1,000 in surgery, to prepare Lindsey for adoption to a warm, loving, caring home.
Cindy Wrobel, humane officer in Walworth County, said animal cruelty charges against the woman who surrendered Lindsey have been referred to the district attorney's office.
"There was nobody who could look at all of this and think it was an accident," she said. "We absolutely had to send it up. We have to let them make the decision, but we have to do our job."
Zeke Wiedenfeld, assistant district attorney in Walworth County, has not made a decision in this case.
He said he receives a wide range of complaints, but if a referral comes across his desk, it's certainly not to be overlooked.
"It has to be pretty severe to get to me," he said.
Wiedenfeld said he weighs each animal cruelty case individually, and among the things he looks for first is intent.
"One of the big things I consider is … whether the person knew the animal would be harmed," he said.
Wiedenfeld declined to comment further on the case involving Lindsey.
Regardless of whether or not animal cruelty charges are filed against the dog's former owner, the shelter staff are certain Lindsey's story will have a happy ending.
"I have complete confidence (that she'll be adopted)," Perry said. "It might take a little longer than the average adoption, but I think it's just a matter of being able to find that right person, who can look past the outside."
Apr 23, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.
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The staff at Lakeland should be commended for their persistence in getting this little dog the care she needed instead of giving up and having her put down. Dr. Korosec should be commended for donating his services to return her to health. It's nice to see this kind of story in the Gazette. The way we treat animals is a reflection of our worth as people. This kind of story isn't just about the animals - it's about people. The people who saved her deserve our respect for their refusal to accept death as the only option.
Apr 22, 2009 at 6:24 p.m.
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Oh yeah- SPAY, NUETER, AND DON'T BUY from puppy mills!!
Apr 22, 2009 at 6:23 p.m.
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Here's the thing though... in WI you cannot be charged with murder or neglect if your child dies from an untreated medical condition... as long as you say you were using PRAYER for a treatment.
Yeah, I don;t think she should have let the disease go that far. Maybe she just didn't know, or maybe she couldn't afford it... I doubt a vet offered free treatment when she owned it. She had to give it up and ask for it to be euthanized.
SHe could have gone and just let it die in agony, or buried it alive, or shot it. She at least tried to have it humanely put down.
I don't think she should be tried for deliberate animal cruelty. I think that should be saved for torturers/ starvers/hoarders.
Apr 22, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
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Now this is a dog I'd like to have, somehow I always get the special animals.
I'm a real animal lover and I don't see how anyone could not take care of your pet, seriously they depend on us. If you're not gonna treat an animal right then don't buy one or adopt one, seriously.
And people selling animals make sure they go to a really good home do more research.
Apr 22, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
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"As a Rock County prosecutor, I do not have the resources to prosecute animal cruelty/neglect offenders; I have to spend the money prosecuting crimes committed against people."-recorded from a phone interview in 2007 with David O'Leary, with regards to an animal abuse case involving a repeat offender with 40+ horses.
Apr 22, 2009 at 8:35 a.m.
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God bless you Dr. Korosec! I have to agree with picklesmom, I too love animals more than people. When I wake from sleep in the morning, my dog is always there to give me a good morning wag of the tail. When I come home from work, there he is waiting for me wagging his tail greeting me. His love is unconditional and I hope that Lindsay gets a loving family to share her years of ignored love. My guess is she will wag her tail constantly with her new family. God be with you, Lindsay!!!
Apr 22, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.
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Having taken in several abused and/or abandoned pets in the past, there's nothing like the devotion and love those animals give their owners when they find their "forever" home. Thank you to Dr. K and the staff for going the extra mile-I hope that a home is found for Lindsey where she will spend her remaining years surrounded by the love and care she should have had the first time around.
Apr 22, 2009 at 4:37 a.m.
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You go little girl! What a sweet little toughie for hanging in there after all you were put through. Shame on whoever let her get so sick. Why did you wait so long to get her help..you could have turned her in a long time ago? Can't understand that at all.
Apr 22, 2009 at 12:43 a.m.
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It's kind of cool when the press picks up on stories like this, because it almost guarantees the dog will be adopted. It's unfortunate that many good dogs fate do not end so rosily. Hope the dog finds a loving home, and hope to hear the follow up report on it.
Apr 22, 2009 at 12:31 a.m.
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that poor little dog. the disgusting thing that did this should be prosecuted without a doubt. sick to think of all the people out there that could do that to a helpless animal and there a lot of sick ones around
Apr 21, 2009 at 10:40 p.m.
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Ms. Bunge and Gazette staff: Please promise now to do an update on Lindsey in the future. So many readers will be wondering how she is doing ...
Apr 21, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.
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This is just wrong!!!
I want this dog!!!
She is so cute!!
Apr 21, 2009 at 10:07 p.m.
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How ANYONE could do this to ANY animal is beyond me! Thank goodness for the animal shelter for doctoring this animal back to health. And for the "thing" that did this to her, I hope she gets what she deserves. NO animal deserves this. Show people that this is not allowed and not tolerated!
Apr 21, 2009 at 9 p.m.
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To Zeke Weidenfeld: people willing to be this cruel to another living (defenseless)creature are not far removed from treating a human in the same way.
Its common knowledge that this is how killers of humans start out. They become enthralled by a sense of power, or desensitization.
They should be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law, in my opinion, if for no other reason than as an example to deter others.
Apr 21, 2009 at 8:28 p.m.
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Sadly, people get animals and have children who have no business getting either. Responsibility and commitment are not easy but once you make the commitment, then it is imperative to follow through. Thank you so much to those who have given her a chance at a good and happy life. The doctor and the shelter staff should be commended for their generosity of heart, time, and money. I have two rescue dogs or I would be running to the shelter to adopt this precious little spaniel. It is heartbreaking to see the cruelty the owner has inflicted on this helpless creature.
Apr 21, 2009 at 8:28 p.m.
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I just looked at the photo gallery, and you could tell that little Lindsey was LOVING her bath. I bet it feels SO good for her to be rubbed. OH I can't stop thinking about how I am so excited for her to have a loving home. Poor little girl!
Apr 21, 2009 at 7:09 p.m.
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Good job to Dr Korosec and the staff at the shelter. The only thing in the story that I have an issue with is the the paper revealing the fact that charges are pending against the dog's former owner. This little bit of info may discourage other neglectful owners to turn their animals in and instead get rid of them by other means. Of course charges needed to be filed though.
Apr 21, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.
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Stories like this break my heart! I too like animals moreso then people.... Animals give love unconditionally and this is how they wind up treated? Thank you Lakeland for saving her life!
Apr 21, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
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Thank you so much to Lakeland Animal Shelter! It is nice to see people that care enough to give this poor animal a chance at a good life. It breaks my heart when I hear about cases such as this. What is wrong with people? I just don't understand why people decide to get a pet and then not take care of it! But then people do the same thing with children! It is a sad world we live in. BUT, THANK YOU SO MUCH LAKELAND ANIMAL SHELTER!!! We need more people like this in the world.
Apr 21, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
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Thank you to all those caring for little Lindsey.
Apr 21, 2009 at 3:50 p.m.
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+1 anotherdoor--I like animals more than most people too...A quick "awesome job" to Dr. Korosec as well.....You're aces in my book!
Apr 21, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
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I am not a huge fan of dogs, and this poor soul makes me seriously want to bring her home and hug ans spoil her for the rest of her days. What a super sad little girl she must have been. I can't imagine spending the majority of my life itching. Thank you so much to the shelter and the doctor for seeing past the surface of this little girl. She is going to make someone a very loyal, best friend when she is all better. Lindsay, you are in my prayers!
Apr 21, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.
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We had a Brittany for many years. She was the most loving, trusting creature God ever created. It's typical of the breed. So how anyone with a heart can allow this to happen is beyond me. I stand by my last post...I like animals more than I like most people.
Apr 21, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
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This makes me sick and so sad! That poor little dog! People that neglect and harm their animals should be in jail. This is awful. My heart goes out to this little furry friend.
Apr 21, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.
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This is a horrible, horrible story. Just think about it though, this is just one of the millions of cases that come about everyday, ALL over the country.
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Poor little pup.
Apr 21, 2009 at 12:25 p.m.
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truth1, we get it. We all hate puppy mills, okay?
The story is of the remarkable spirit of this poor animal, and of the people who cared enough to save it. NOT about puppy mills.
Apr 21, 2009 at 12:06 p.m.
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latinmami2- There is a "person" up near Plymouth, Wisconsin that does this to dozens of dogs and has been doing so for years and makes thousands of dollars selling "AKC pups" out of local newspapers.
Apr 21, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.
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poor baby, how can a person do this to any animal
Apr 21, 2009 at 11:37 a.m.
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Its a nice thought that dogs would be treated as family members, but in a state and a country where its LEGAL for one person to breed hundreds of dogs in a puppy mill and treat them all like trash, it would be great to reach a happy medium to just treat them ALL halfway decently.
Apr 21, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.
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It's bad enough that this dog had to endure what she has had to, and I find it equally appalling that the assistant district attorney is debating as to if the person responsible for this will be prosecuted.
Resuce and Shelter groups deal with horrible stories like this and worse on a daily basis. People need to be prosecuted and convicted in order for this to stop. I agree with truth1 about the Puppy Mills operations and stores like PETLAND.
Apr 21, 2009 at 10:54 a.m.
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The really REALLY sad thing is that people that operate puppy mills don't just treat ONE dog this way, they have 25, 50, or more dogs locked up OUTSIDE in cages and never let them out and are not treated ANY better than this dog was and this stuff is LEGAL.
Apr 21, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
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God bless the Lakeland Animal Shelter for not giving up on this dog! It is not hard to see the spirit in her eyes, even with the severe neglect she has endured. The only thing that keeps me from losing faith in people is knowing there are people who have a thousand times more love and compassion than this dog's "owner" showed to her.
Apr 21, 2009 at 10:40 a.m.
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How can people be so cruel? Had this been a child, she (the owner) would be sitting in jail, and I feel that is the perfect place for her. You are supposed to treat your pets like your children, is that how she would treat a family member? In order to adopt a child people have to jump through hoops, what kind of check do we do to get an animal? This is SO WRONG!
Apr 21, 2009 at 9:39 a.m.
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There should be a lot more prosicution of these types of crimes...this really gets me P****ed.
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