Beaten puppy getting better; reward offered to convict abuser

By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard - 12/21/2006

Oscar, the 5-month-old border collie pup found near death in a Butte Dumpster last week, is now eating on his own, barking and able to stand on his own for short periods.

“He’s doing fabulous; he is getting a little better bit by bit,” said Erin Wall, who heads the county’s Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter.

Oscar was found buried under trash in a bin at a trailer court on Rowe Road, after a tipster called animal authorities. The puppy had been abused and was critically ill when animal control officer Dave Hinch arrived on the scene.

“I didn’t think he was going to make it,” said Hinch, who found the dog after seeing a paw protruding through the garbage and hearing whimpering.

The puppy had been beaten, including being hit hard on the head with an unknown object, before being dumped in the trash in bitter cold.

“He was in pretty bad shape,” said Dr. Jevon Clark, the veterinarian who treated the puppy, Oscar is recovering in an undisclosed foster home.

“He was close to death when he came in,” said Clark, who marveled that the puppy is doing well although the amount of neurological damage is not known. Because of the damage, Oscar had required a feeding tube but has been eating canned dog food in the past day.

Oscar’s plight, reported in Saturday’s Montana Standard, has attracted a growing reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever abused the dog.

“I can’t believe that someone could possibly do this to a poor little puppy,” said Steve Murphy of Butte, who put up $500 in reward money and is managing the reward — now at $1,350 — as donations come in.

Murphy, who owns Labrador retrievers, said that all information about the case is being handled through the Butte-Silver Bow police department.

He said people who abuse animals can hurt humans, and he wants to ensure someone is held accountable for what happened to Oscar.

“I consider this person a threat to the community,” said Murphy, who has been touched by individuals and businesses putting up money to entice a witness to come forward.

In addition, the shelter has fielded calls from community members wanting to adopt the puppy, whose medical bills will probably total around $800, Wall said.

“We’re just hoping he continues to improve,” Wall said. She added that the puppy is loveable and friendly.

Anyone with information about Oscar’s case may call animal control at 497-6565, the shelter at 782-8450 or the police department at 497-1120.