Justice for Leo Demand Animal Cruelty Charges For Sick And Starved Dog
The Issue
***Updated December 23, 2019***
Bayfield County, WI Sheriff’s Lieutenant Paulson confirmed that an investigation has been initiated, both into cruelty and neglect charges for Leo by his owners, and the failure of responsible parties to bring this to the attention of the Sheriff and DA. We look forward to sharing updates!
Leo, an emaciated dog with a severe case of mange, was taken in by Chequamegon Humane Association in Ashland, Wisconsin this past September. Despite around the clock care, it has taken three months for his fur to grow back, his hind legs remain quite bare, and his nose is still covered in scabs. He has gained 13 critically needed pounds (about 1/3 of his weight upon arrival) and has 5-10 more to go. Along with ongoing sore spots, he is also being treated for emotional trauma. Having been diagnosed with severe separation anxiety, he is terrified of being alone and will chew and destroy doors, gates, and walls to be with his new humans. Medication will likely be needed for the rest of his life in an effort to ease his anxiety and prevent him from hurting himself.
Leo, whose former owners referred to as ‘Dog’, suffered outdoors for twelve long months as a youngster on the property where he was born. To escape exposure, he sought refuge in an abandoned car. He was found suffering from a severe case of mange, a painful parasitic infestation that could have been easily treated with flea and tick medication. Mange, if left untreated, causes loss of fur, redness, intense itching, lesions, and pain. By the time he was relinquished to CHA, his skin was cracking, oozing pus, and bleeding to the extent that the owner advised not putting a leash around his neck because “his skin will fall off.” Despite his painful condition, Leo's owners never sought veterinary care for him.
Wisconsin’s definition of “cruel” with respect to the treatment of animals reads: “causing unnecessary and excessive pain or suffering or unjustifiable injury or death.” Leo suffered unnecessary and excessive pain, and unjustifiable injury. With a compromised immune system, no fur, and no body mass, Leo would have certainly died of exposure over these past months with freezing temperatures.
To date NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST HIS FORMER OWNERS by Bayfield County deputies or Humane Officer. Fourteen citations were issued for “at large” animals from this property over the past year. Dispatch records show law enforcement was called to check on animals at this location on numerous occasions, including mere days before Leo was relinquished to Chequamegon Humane Association by owner. Humane Officer did not respond to requests for help.
Join us in the #JusticeForLeo movement and demand that Leo’s owners be charged immediately. In addition, request that law enforcement do a welfare check on all animals residing on this property, both outdoor farm animals and dogs, and indoor dogs used for breeding purposes.
Please send your request for swift action to:
Bayfield County District Attorney Lawton at BayfieldDA@da.wi.gov
Bayfield County Sheriff Paul Susienka at psusienka@bayfieldcounty.org
Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison at
markaa@bayfieldcounty.org
Share this petition, along with our images on social media:
5,504
The Issue
***Updated December 23, 2019***
Bayfield County, WI Sheriff’s Lieutenant Paulson confirmed that an investigation has been initiated, both into cruelty and neglect charges for Leo by his owners, and the failure of responsible parties to bring this to the attention of the Sheriff and DA. We look forward to sharing updates!
Leo, an emaciated dog with a severe case of mange, was taken in by Chequamegon Humane Association in Ashland, Wisconsin this past September. Despite around the clock care, it has taken three months for his fur to grow back, his hind legs remain quite bare, and his nose is still covered in scabs. He has gained 13 critically needed pounds (about 1/3 of his weight upon arrival) and has 5-10 more to go. Along with ongoing sore spots, he is also being treated for emotional trauma. Having been diagnosed with severe separation anxiety, he is terrified of being alone and will chew and destroy doors, gates, and walls to be with his new humans. Medication will likely be needed for the rest of his life in an effort to ease his anxiety and prevent him from hurting himself.
Leo, whose former owners referred to as ‘Dog’, suffered outdoors for twelve long months as a youngster on the property where he was born. To escape exposure, he sought refuge in an abandoned car. He was found suffering from a severe case of mange, a painful parasitic infestation that could have been easily treated with flea and tick medication. Mange, if left untreated, causes loss of fur, redness, intense itching, lesions, and pain. By the time he was relinquished to CHA, his skin was cracking, oozing pus, and bleeding to the extent that the owner advised not putting a leash around his neck because “his skin will fall off.” Despite his painful condition, Leo's owners never sought veterinary care for him.
Wisconsin’s definition of “cruel” with respect to the treatment of animals reads: “causing unnecessary and excessive pain or suffering or unjustifiable injury or death.” Leo suffered unnecessary and excessive pain, and unjustifiable injury. With a compromised immune system, no fur, and no body mass, Leo would have certainly died of exposure over these past months with freezing temperatures.
To date NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST HIS FORMER OWNERS by Bayfield County deputies or Humane Officer. Fourteen citations were issued for “at large” animals from this property over the past year. Dispatch records show law enforcement was called to check on animals at this location on numerous occasions, including mere days before Leo was relinquished to Chequamegon Humane Association by owner. Humane Officer did not respond to requests for help.
Join us in the #JusticeForLeo movement and demand that Leo’s owners be charged immediately. In addition, request that law enforcement do a welfare check on all animals residing on this property, both outdoor farm animals and dogs, and indoor dogs used for breeding purposes.
Please send your request for swift action to:
Bayfield County District Attorney Lawton at BayfieldDA@da.wi.gov
Bayfield County Sheriff Paul Susienka at psusienka@bayfieldcounty.org
Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison at
markaa@bayfieldcounty.org
Share this petition, along with our images on social media:
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Petition created on December 19, 2019