Blind Dog Abandoned, Left Chained to Tree for 2 Weeks
Belleville News Democrat
www.belleville.com
September 14, 2004, GREENVILLE, IL - Blind, chained to a tree and without food, Phoebe paced and paced in the backyard of the vacant house on East South Street.
Dennis Hundsdorfer, an animal welfare volunteer, said the 8-year old Shar-Pei -- a wrinkled but regal breed of dog first bred 2,000 years ago in China and prone to blindness -- managed to survive for two weeks with nothing to eat except insects and with little water.
But the dog was a mess when, alerted by a neighbor, Hundsdorfer and others discovered it tethered by a heavy chain to a tree trunk.
Instead of the 45 to 55 pounds normal for the breed, Phoebe weighed only 30 pounds. Because of neglect, the nails of the animal's front paws had grown into complete circles. The chain had gouged a deep, skin-breaking furrow into its neck.
"She's been through hell," said Hundsdorfer, a volunteer at the Bond County Humane Society. His wife, Rachel, is the society's president.
"Phoebe deserves whatever we can do for her."
Despite having almost no money in its budget, the society had Phoebe immediately taken to a veterinarian, where the dog's claws were trimmed and it was treated for the neck wound and overall malnutrition.
Volunteer animal welfare inspector Greta Rice, who is certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, conducted an investigation after Phoebe was found abandoned Wednesday behind the home, which is for sale.
Bond County State's Attorney Chris Bauer said he received Rice's report on Monday.
"There is no doubt a crime was committed, and we would like to charge someone," said Bauer.
Bauer said more investigation is needed to determine who exactly chained Phoebe to the tree and left her. Hundsdorfer said the owners had moved to Texas and had given the dog to a couple they allowed to live in the house until it was sold. He said he thought it was that couple who is responsible for abandoning the dog.
In any case, Hundsdorfer said that no matter what the cost, Phoebe will be treated and a new home will be found for her.
Her blindness, a condition often found in Shar-Pei's caused by flaps of skin abrading the corneas of the eyes, is another matter.
In this case, said Hundsdorfer, Phoebe was already blind when left at the tree, although she showed signs of having an earlier surgery to prevent the skin flaps from harming its eyes. But a second surgery that was supposed to have followed the first was never performed, he said.
A cornea transplant probably would save the animal's eyesight.
"It's expensive. But if we can somehow find a way, that's what we'd like to do," he said, "This poor dog has been through so much."
