San Antonio Pets Alive and Animal Care Services are working together on the case of Bonnie Blue Eyes, a 5-month-old Australian Shepherd who was neglected for much of her short time on earth. The dog was surrendered to ACS in critical condition last week with a ligature across her snout that indicated her mouth had been bound for a prolonged period of time.
Bonnie’s mouth was bound for so long that her teeth were impacted, ACS Public Information Officer Lisa Norwood tells MySA.
Norwood describes the intake of the puppy as “mysterious.” Sometime last week, a woman wearing a large face mask and baseball cap brought in the puppy. Bonnie, who Norwood says was “obviously a sick little dog,” was wrapped in a towel. The anonymous woman claimed Bonnie was found at a gas station, but could not remember a location or cross street. She also did not provide identification.
The woman told staff she was interested in fostering the animal before she “ran off” the property after handing over Bonnie. There is surveillance on the property, but the woman parked a red Infiniti vehicle in an area of the lot with a gap in camera coverage, Norwood says.
ACS cruelty investigators are looking into the case but are “kind of at a loss” given the lack of information, she adds. Anyone with information is urged to call 311 and ask to speak with ACS cruelty investigators.
Bonnie Blue Eyes, an Australian Shepherd, was surrendered to Animal Care Services under “mysterious” circumstances. The neglect of the dog included its mouth being forced shut for a prolonged period of time.
Courtesy, SAPABonnie remains in critical condition at an emergency veterinarian clinic. Norwood says Bonnie’s mouth was forced shut by some sort of binding for so long that it was embedded into her snout and chin. She was emaciated and unable to walk, and also covered in her own urine and feces.
“This is obviously something that didn’t happen from one day to the next,” Norwood says. “This is torture. This dog was denied the ability to drink water, to eat food, to breathe properly. This is a baby. This is going to be something that impacts her for the rest of her life, and all the more reason for us to find out who did this to her.”
She adds that if investigators are able to find a suspect and prove the neglect, the charge is a 3rd degree felony and carries up to to 10 years behind bars.
Bonnie Blue Eyes, an Australian Shepherd, was surrendered to Animal Care Services under “mysterious” circumstances. The neglect of the dog included its mouth being forced shut for a prolonged period of time.
Courtesy, SAPANorwood says Bonnie’s case is severe, but the neglect of animals throughout the city is not uncommon and is a daily occurrence that ACS and SAPA, their rescue partner, sees.
Alexis Moore, spokeswoman for SAPA, says Bonnie is not out of the woods and she’s “hoping she makes it.” So far, the dog’s vet costs are totaling $2,000 and she still needs a few more days in the ER. An online donation portal is available for chip-ins.
The goal is to get Bonnie back to health and into a foster home. She says interested adoption families have been “lining up” for Bonnie.
Bonnie Blue Eyes, an Australian Shepherd, was surrendered to Animal Care Services under “mysterious” circumstances. The neglect of the dog included its mouth being forced shut for a prolonged period of time.
Courtesy, SAPAPhotos posted by SAPA show the kind eyes that inspired Bonnie’s name. Norwood says she’s “the sweetest thing” and a “real good girl.”
“You know how they say dogs can smile? Well Bonnie can smile,” Norwood says.
While the rescue pup undergoes around-the-clock medical care, Moore wants to remind San Antonio that SAPA has an abundance of puppies that are healthy and ready for adoption. All dogs and cats that are available for adoption are listed on the SAPA website. Potential owners can also fill out an application online.
