11/13/2014 Update: Roadrunner the dog is eating, drinking and doing normal “dog” things, according to his foster family. Additionally, a company is in the process of donating a “halo” that he can wear so he won’t bump into things now that he’s lost his sight. Investigators are still looking into the case.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Roadrunner, apparently chronically abused throughout his life, lost both of his eyes, but is now recovering in a Kansas City-area foster home.
KC Pet Project tells the story of Roadrunner, a Tibetan Spaniel, who was found in critical condition Sunday night. Neighbors say he was strangled and beaten by his owner, who also threw him off a 3rd floor balcony and left him for dead.
“He was a victim of unspeakable cruelty — one of the worst cases we’ve ever seen,” said KC Pet Project in a Facebook post about Roadrunner.
Roadrunner’s owner, Kimberly Bond Anderson, says her dog doesn’t fit into the neglected or abused category.
“People in my complex, they like to yap their jaws and not keep their nose in their own business,” she said.
Anderson claims a neighbor lied to investigators, telling them she threw her dog off the balcony. Instead she says Roadrunner and her other dog Pearl got loose before a trip to the dog park. She says Roadrunner was hit by a car.
“I didn’t see the accident happen, but all I know it’s there, and I was devastated,” she said.
Anderson claims she didn’t strangle Roadrunner.
According to city officials, the incident is under investigation, and charges are expected to be filed.
Roadrunner was rushed from KC Pet Project to BluePearl Veterinary Partners, where he had surgery. Unfortunately, due to facial trauma he suffered, veterinarian surgeons had to remove both his eyes. As Roadrunner continues to recover in foster care, he’ll soon have a halo around his head so he doesn’t run into things.
KC Pet Project says in the past year alone, it has received more than 470 animals who were abused or neglected in Kansas City.
For more information on KC Pet Project, click here.
