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The surviving puppy, dubbed Lucky, bounds from its kennel in Largo on Monday. He and a dead female pup were found in a Clearwater parking lot. SPCA Tampa Bay said the female puppy appears to be the victim of animal cruelty.
CLEARWATER — Lucky, an adorable little collie mix puppy, bounded out of his cage at SPCA Tampa Bay on Monday, a frog toy in his mouth.
Not far away, his sister's body lay stiff and cold in a refrigerator waiting for a necropsy. She appeared to have died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Just hours before, a citizen found the pups in the parking lot of a small medical building parking lot at 1384 Pierce St. in Clearwater. But how they got there is still a mystery.
The citizen contacted Clearwater police. They discovered the female pup lying dead next to a large plastic container full of dry dog food, blood trickling from her mouth and head.
Her brother was playing in the grass nearby, distracted from the horror by distraught neighbors.
According to Elizabeth Daly-Watts, Clearwater police spokeswoman, investigators don't know who abandoned the animals at the parking lot or how the female's head was smashed.
So investigators have three questions that must be answered: Who abandoned the puppies, who killed the female and why?
The dogs appeared to be in good health. They were well fed and didn't have fleas. Officials believe the pups were abandoned between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Lucky, 1 1/2 months old, will be held at SPCA Tampa Bay for seven days. If the owner does not come forward, the pup will be put up for adoption.
Marissa Segundo, spokeswoman for SPCA Tampa Bay, said the female appears to be the victim of animal cruelty.
"She had blood on her muzzle and severe trauma to her head," she said.
A postmortem found the puppy had rigor mortis and dried blood on her muzzle, front legs and chest area.
There was no evidence of bruises or hemorrhage and no corresponding skin lesions. There was also no evidence of road rash that would suggest she had been hit by a car.
If you have any information about this crime, call the Clearwater Police Department at (727) 562-4422.
[Last modified: Jul 07, 2008 08:05 PM]
Comments on this article
by Dan H.
Jul 6, 2008 3:55 PM
Isn't it way past time to push our legislators to pass meaningful laws with absolute penalties for animal cruelties? It's ridiculous to expect these heartless bast ards to stop torturing animals without meaningful penalties to backup the laws.
by Kathie
Jul 4, 2008 12:44 PM
As a owner of a pup, it makes me sick that there are people out there who hurt these poor animals, when all they do is give you love & companionship. I hope they get the scum who killed Lucky's sister and do the same to them, just heartless scum!
by Dan
Jul 3, 2008 1:55 PM
Thank you SPCA of Tampa bay for helping the animals of our community. The people who work there are very special.
by darryl
Jul 2, 2008 4:29 PM
Alls i ask is just 5-minutes with these kind of people.Please!they need to pass a Law on owning animals.an exspensive permit plus haveing there homes checked to make sure it is suitable for animals.this could cut down on abuse,and over population.
by Pete
Jul 1, 2008 4:45 PM
Check the teenaged boys in the neighborhood. One or more of them likely has blood on his hands.
by Sue
Jul 1, 2008 1:56 PM
An eye for an eye, and whether the victim 2 feet or 4, the punishment should fit the crime! Kill a helpless dog or cat etc., the same prison time should apply.
by kitty
Jul 1, 2008 1:51 PM
The sick individual responsible for such cruelty should be treated the same.
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