CHARLESTON, S.C. — A young dog discovered in South Carolina with her muzzle taped tightly shut with electrical tape is expected to make a full recovery.
According to WCSC in South Carolina, the 15-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier mix was doing better than expected and officials decided she did not need to undergo additional surgery as previously planned.
Last week doctors operated on the dog, which was originally named Diamond but later named Caitlyn by rescuers. It was originally predicted she would lose up to a third of her tongue due to her horrific wounds, but fortunately that number now appears closer to only one-eighth of it.
The pup was found last month with her mouth forced shut with electrical tape in North Charleston, S.C.
Her former owners reportedly said they had sold her for $10, however a few days later, Caitlyn showed up in their yard with black electrical tape wound so tight around her muzzle that her tongue was caught between her teeth, according to officials. They said she may have been left in that condition for up to 48 hours.
When doctors removed the tape, her muzzle reportedly swelled to around double its normal size.
The Charleston Animal Society’s Toby Fund, which goes towards the medical treatment of animals brought in to the shelter, is covering Caitlyn’s surgical costs. As of this weekend, she was still recovering.
North Charleston police arrested William Leonard Dodson, 41, who now faces a charge of ill-treatment of an animal involving torture.
Warning: The images below are disturbing.