news-record.com

GREENSBORO — A mixed-breed pit bull puppy is fighting for her life after being found severely burned Thursday morning at a south Greensboro park, where officials believe she had been suffering at least two weeks.

Authorities are looking for suspects in the case.

The puppy, estimated at being around 10-weeks old, was found around 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Greenfield Park just inside city limits by a man walking through the park, said Marsha Williams, director of the Guilford County Animal Shelter.

The light brown puppy was found with severe second and third-degree burns to her head, back, stomach, tail and legs.

Her ears were burned off and she had a broken jaw and busted teeth, Williams said.

The puppy was found covered with maggots and based on the larvae’s development, officials believe the dog was left at the park up at least two weeks ago.

“We think she is a pit bull mix, she may have some shepherd in her,” Williams said.

“We’ve done everything to make her comfortable. We are doing everything we can to save her.”

Veterinarians placed the dog under numerous pain medications and placed an cone-shaped Elizabethan collar on her to keep her from gnawing her wounds.

The dog and was sent home Friday with a shelter volunteer for the weekend, but is expected to undergo months of treatment in hopes of a full recovery.

As of Friday afternoon, officials with Guilford County Animal Control said they had no leads in finding out who abused the puppy.

“It’s terrible, how can you set a puppy on fire and leave it to die in the park?” said Williams with the animal shelter.

“Unfortunately this happens a lot, so much so that this job is very mentally and emotionally draining. We are getting so many animals in because of neglect." 

Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Guilford County Animal Control at 641-5990.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com