Bait dog found clinging to life in Lehigh Acres

Author: Andrew Scheinthal
Published: Updated:

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Veterinarians are working to save a dog, found clinging to life Tuesday afternoon.

Vets at the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) say Sunset was used for fighting. She was found on the side of the road in Lehigh Acres, near Buckingham and Sunset Roads.

At this point, veterinarians say there’s a fifty-fifty chance whether or not Sunset will make it.

“I can’t imagine why anyone would want to put an animal in this kind of situation,” said veterinarian Jeannette Barnes.

GCHS Executive Director Jennifer Galloway says Sunset was a bait dog, she was used to train other dogs how to fight.

“They’re tied up, their mouths are maybe tied up so they can’t fight back. Usually the females are used for breeding,” said Galloway.

Sunset’s covered in scars. Half of her lip has been bit off and she’s malnourished.

Veterinarians are giving her fluids, trying to prevent her heart from going into shock.

“This does show that there is dog fighting in Lee County and the surrounding counties,” said Galloway.

Sunset will now be part of the Second Chance Fund, where you can donate to help her recover from these life threatening injuries.

“Our Second Chance Fund is to take care of those medical needs above and beyond what we normally do here,” said Galloway.

Just a few months ago, Jerry was brought in. He was also a bait dog.

Jerry lost one of his legs in the process, but he is now up for adoption.

GCHS workers hope that Sunset will find a forever home, but first, she needs to make it through the night.

“It’s heart breaking for us to see dogs come in, in this type of condition, or to know that there’s dogs out there that we don’t know where they are, or that have not been found that are in this condition,” said Galloway.

Anyone who is involved in dog fighting can face jail time.

If you’d like to help Sunset, or donate to the Second Chance Fund, click here.

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