Andrea Rosebrock 
There is a heartbreaking story out of Kern County, CA; two pitbull puppies were found within two months of each other, doused with acid or some acid-like chemical, abandoned and left to die suffering and in pain. Found as strays, taken to the Kern County Shelter, their next stop was the end of the line. It was through luck, chance and love that these babies were rescued from their fate, not just once but twice; first from cruel death on the streets then again from death row at the shelter.
Smokey
Smokey – Look at this sweet face!
Smokey, a sweet, beautiful gray pittie puppy who is now just five months old, was found on July 31 in east Bakersfield. His backwas burned down to the muscle, injuries so severe that he could not even have the surgeries he desperately needs until some healing takes place. The rescuer received an urgent plea from Kern County Shelter they had this puppy that needed urgent medical attention. Smokey did not arrive to his rescue until August 5th due to the severity of his burns and wanting to make sure he was stable enough for the trip down to San Diego. He initially received vet care in Bakersfield, bandage changes, pain medications and antibiotics.
Smokey days after he was found
The rescuer immediately took him to the hospital; Animal Medical Center in El Cajon, CA. Smokey was hospitalized for close to three weeks receiving treatments for his burns.
As of now Smokey is still receiving bandage treatments, remains on antibiotics to prevent infections and is scheduled for surgery on the 29th of October to repair the damage to the back of his neck. Smokey will probably have nerve damage the remainder of his life.
Smokey is now 5 months old and although he endured such torture remains to be very sweet, great temperament & very loving. He absolutely loves people and loves other animals. Smokey is a true testament of forgiveness, with such a wonderfully, gentle spirit. Here is some background on this sweet boy from his rescuer;
I had SMOKEY pulled on 7/31/09 just hours before he was set to die on death row on August 1st. He stayed in Bakersfield until 8/5 and was seen by a vet a couple of times during that time for bandage changes and medications, ointments & I wanted to be sure he was stable enough to travel to San Diego…When SMOKEY got to me on 8/5, I immediately took him into the hospital, he was in medical boarding until August 22nd 2009 and is now staying with me and my crew here in San Diego.
Smokey 2 months later
The vet has said it was deliberate because of the pattern and definitely chemical/acid–you judge for yourself by the photos. He was abused and then dumped, left alone in this pain & agony for at least a few days before Animal Control found him as a “stray”. The burn was 4-5″ in width from his neck all the way down his back, some splashes but not as deep on the top of his head, hind end and some splashed on his back legs–mildly treated & have healed nicely. The other on the back of his head/neck area that was one of the deepest is healing although the recovery time will be long..This little pup was only 3 mos old & even though he was cruelly abused he wags his tail a lot when people talk to him and is a true sweetheart that strives for human touch & love. He loves to go up to everyone he meets and will lean into them and immediately roll over onto his back for a belly rub. His doctor absolutely LOVES him and describes him as: sweet, wonderful temperament, playful and an “old soul”.
Smokey is still under vet care and will be for quite some time due to his burns. It is estimated that could be another 2 months if not longer–3 to 4 times a week for bandage changes, rechecks, medication evaluation etc.
I met with his regular vet it became a concern to his reaction to slight touch around his burns, indicating nerve damage.. It is hard to tell right now for sure but the chances are high he may have permanent nerve damage or if it is still sensitive all over his back. After more healing it will be easier to tell and he will be on more medications, long term for management.
This is a video of Smokey at the vet on 8/28/09
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Charlie
Charlie – Only a baby and he;s gone through so much already!
Charlie, another little pitbull puppy was found on October 15 and Kern County again contacted the rescuer who took in Smokey because Charlie had the same heinous injuries, acid burns to his back and legs.
On Monday October 19th, Charlie underwent two intense surgeries to remove infected skin in hopes that his wounds can be healed & sewed together & pieced back together the remaining healthy skin. Charlie also has 4 drains in him to help reduce any infection. Charlie is believed to have been caged for an undetermined amount of time. His back legs are weak, no muscle tone & he is severely malnourished with protruding hip bones and all of his ribs show. He also has problems with his front paws. When standing or walking all pads are on the floor rather than just his front toes. Similar to being flat footed. The doctors believe this will be able to be corrected with proper nutrition and exercise.
 Charlie Before Surgey |
 Charlie After Surgery – You can see how emaciated he is |
Here’s a vid of an interview of the vet regarding Charlie
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
And here’s some media coverage… finally!
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Smokey and Charlie’s rescuer and supporters aren’t sitting back and just taking this horrendous abuse of these poor babies either. They believe the same person or people are responsible for both attacks on these puppies and have raised $5000 for a reward to try to find out who did this.
Rescue supporters will be in Bakersfield Monday to distribute fliers and ask for the public’s help.
If you would like to help by distributing the flier either by email or in person if you are in the Bakersfield, CA area, you can download full size copies of the flier in either .jpg or PDF – JPG or PDF (just right click on the link and save)
There is also a petition asking Kern County officials to open an investigation into these horrific crimes, get the word out to the public and broadcast the offer for a $5000 reward. Please take a moment to sign it and share it with everyone you know.
This kind of horrific cruelty cannot go unpunished! These sweet innocent babies have suffered and suffered horribly at the hands of some vicious monster for their thrills and pleasure. What are they going to do when they get tired of torturing innocent little puppies? I don’t even need to answer that question, you know!
Please, help! Get the word out! Sign the petition!
Below I will post links to the reward fund and vets if you’re so inclined. These babies are going to need months and months of care and more surgeries yet.
FOR PLEDGES/DONATIONS FOR VET CARE:
ACCT NAME: SMOKEY/CHARLIE
Animal Medical Center of El Cajon
600 Broadway Ave
El Cajon, CA 92021
619-444-1166
CHIP In for Reward Fund: http://kerncountypups.chipin.com/smokeyandcharlie-reward-fund
CHIPIN for Vet Care: http://kerncountypups.chipin.com/burnt-pitty-charlie
I can tell you, I have watched the progress with Smokey for weeks on end now and was heartbroken when Charlie showed up with the same injuries. The rescuer, who prefers to remain nameless because he wants the spotlight on the crimes, on the puppies, has done an incredible job with Smokey and is doing the same with Charlie. The time, effort and devotion have been nothing short of amazing and these sweet babies are getting the best care they possibly can. These puppies need all the help they can get and so deserve justice, won’t you please help by getting the word out and sharing this.
Dear Smokey and Charlie,
Your gentle spirits after such horrific abuse prove that dogs are a far superior species to most of us so-called humans, how anybody could do such a thing is beyond understanding. I pray that you recover and that your torturers are caught, although no punishment our criminal justice system could inflict on them would suffice to make them understand the agony they’ve caused.
The authorities really need to jump on this, anyone who would treat dogs in this way will very likely also harm other people
I am crying and sobbing too hard to comment right now. I hope they find the bastards tha did this! Poor baby’s. I pray they will be okay…..How can anyone be so damn cruel???? This just kills me! What sweet, innocent, baby’s that certainly did not deserve this! Sometimes, I jsut despise humans with every part of my soul!
I pray they catch these horrible things that did this!!!! They do not deserve to go on in this world!
No animal deserves this anybody who could do this hasn’t got a decent bone in there body, I hope they catch these people who did this. Every time I get an email from For the Love Of Dogs it just gets worse, I think I have seen it all and then somehing worse comes along, I really hope if this cruel people are caught they get severe punishment, why are people doing this to Pitt Bulls they are not vicious dogs it is the human who teaches them to be viscious. Humans some people don’t deserve to be called human because they are not. I hope they burn in Hell.
Anyone who feels the need to abuse an innocent animal has a mental problem. This person needs help and needs to be locked up. If this behavior makes you feel powerful, you are a pathetic person. I would bet you abuse children and women also!
i don’t think the problem is mental, Valerie. i think it’s lack of heart/feeling/caring. mental problems can b seen 2 n, hopefully, in the end, treated. what these human excuse have CANNOT b treated. they either have it or they don’t. the the pond scum who did this needs 2 b put away for a long time…….
there’s a thing called a twitch that they use on horses lips to distract them while they are being castrated. i vote that when they find this scum, they don’t use a twitch.
i also hope one or both of these dogs can hook up with cesar milan. it would do so much for abuse awareness to have him involved.
Better yet would be a hook up with with BADRAP or RESCUE INK…they are much more about abuse and reclaiming animnals than Cesar…who is much more about training and rehabbing…
oh i sooooo hope they catch him/her/them…and throw them in the hole in jail…..lock em up and give them bread and water….lets see how tough they are after 2 weeks…..next thing people like this hurt or kill are most likely children….or women……….sometimes i am extremely ashamed of being called a human being…..these are very evil people….i wish the best for the dogs….i have 2 pitties and they are the dearest buddies……
Another time for my eyes to close and pray to God.
dear, sweet little boys….i’m so very sorry that a member of my species has done this 2 u. i hope they r found AND punished for this horrible crime. u will both b in my thoughts n prayers. i’m also gonna light a wee blue healing candle for both of u….bless u both
Dirty sick bastards , I hope who ever did this dies a painful death very soon
Acid on this person or persons would be too good for them. This is the same sort of torture and lack of any level of humanity that Vick and his cronnies committed. Wonder if HSUS and the Eagles will think that the acid users on Smokey and Charlie will deserve another chance. Wonder if Jay Leno and Chris Rock also think that this is “no big deal”. A pox on all of them.
Thanks for the Chip in Links D….come on everyone, I know things are really tough, here in Michigan they are horrendous, but even if we can only chip in a dollar or two……it will help, and more importantly, be evidence that we really do care and that saying NO to any form of cruelty is a priority for each of us. God Bless and help this rescuer….what a Saint.
It took me this long to read this story, as I was in tears every time I opened it up to read. I am so grateful for those in rescue, who step up and help these little four legged victims and show them that there are nice people in the world. These rescuers have shown that they have the faith to work with these little ones who have been tortured beyond belief. God Bless you rescuers helping these little ones.
Who ever did this, God help you. These are babies, they are innocent little ones who look to us for guidance and love. How in the world could anyone even think of doing something so horrible to any animal? Who ever did this, you deserve to sit in a jail cell for one hell of a long time. You bastard, you don’t deserve to breathe the same air as those who love the four legged gifts from God.
Smokey and Charlie, I will pray for you everyday, you babies did not deserve this, and I hope and pray that you recover, and I know you will find that loving mom and dad that you so well deserve. Not all humans are mean babies, really. You have great friends with your rescuer, and that rescuer will show you how to love and trust once again.
OMG, What deranged, pshycotic person would do that to an innocent dog. wonder if they were figting dogs. HOw would they like that done to them. The pain these dogs must be in. The scars from their ordeal. puts a deep gutted feeling of sorrow and pain of seeing those pictures. my GOD. What inhumane animal would do this to innocent beings. I hope they are caught and put into prison for life. Cowards they are ran away after that. Imagine they might do this to a child or adult, they need to be caught.
I wish there were a petition to sign to send regrets to these dogs. I would sign it. I just cant believe this. IT gets worse and worse. when does it stop, when.
Thanks Deanna Raeke; for creating this site and for your kindness of animal passion. Just so we can many apasionadosentrar on your blog, or page, and disseminate such terrible cases that unfortunately still exists on our planet, to the animals …. A big hug for you and congratulations for this space to give us .. .. Thanks.
Maricarmen
Oh Bernice….I actually had to chuckle when you mentioned a “Twitch”…..have used them often on horses (mostly on breeding mares)…..for those that don’t know what this devise does….it is usually some type of chain on the end of a bat or something similiar, that you wrap around the upper lip of the horse and twist (not overy tight), just enough to calm the horse. They have nerves in the upper lip that when this is done, and you sorta jiggle the bat a bit, it calms them down quite well. Used quite often in place of a tranquilizer shot. No…this is not at all a cruel method (though it sounds it). The horse is completely relaxed while administering meds, breeding, working on a wound, etc. Remember, these are 1100 + pounds of pure, unpredictable power! This is actually, a very humane way of calming such a large animal.
SO….as Bernice say’s….castorate these bastards….WITHOUT the twitch! Just thought I would explain to those that don’t understand this devise Bernice (before they got upset), about cruelty to horses….LOL
If the person is found, I do believe acid poured over their body would be a good punishment and serving a life sentence.
I feel so sorry for those poor dogs, I am crying and wishing my tears would wash away the dogs pain.