AHS Rescues Abandoned Chihuahua Bound by Duct Tape; Looking for Owner

March 20, 2009

Lotti, the Chihuahua, is found abandoned and quickly given water

This afternoon, the Arizona Humane Society’s Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ (EAMTs) rescued a two-year-old, female longhair Chihuahua.

Upon arriving on the scene near Central and Broadway, EAMTs found the animal’s feet and mouth duct taped with a plastic bag duct taped over her head and a dangerously high body temperature of 107 degrees.

The Chihuahua is now at the AHS’ Second Chance Animal Hospital™ where our veterinary staff is attending to her. Her temperature is back in the normal range and she has a swollen leg from the duct tape.

We are looking for the animal’s owner and/or anyone else with information on how this might have happened to the dog. We are asking anyone with information to please call our Field Operations department at 602.997.7586 ext. 2073.

Follow-up March 31, 2009

Chihuahua Found with Paws and Muzzle Duct Taped on the Mend
"Lotti" now has a second chance for a long, happy life

Back at the hospital receiving care

After having her paws and muzzle duct tapped and left to die on Friday, March 20, Lotti, the two-year-old
longhair Chihuahua, has made a remarkable recovery at the Arizona Humane Society. Staff members happily report thather future looks bright.

Last Friday, AHS Emergency Animal Medical Technicians ™ (EAMTs) found Lotti in an empty dirt lot with her front and back paws duct taped together and a plastic bag over her head. With a body temperature soaring at 107 degrees, the small dog was knocking on death's door. Lotti was rushed to the AHS’ Second Chance Animal Hospital™ where she received immediate care from the veterinary staff. The hospital staff kept a close eye on Lotti while the EAMT investigators went to work to try to find Lotti's abuser(s).

Despite the dedicated work of the field operations department, Lotti's abuser was never found. The EAMTs spent countless hours passing out flyers and looking for any leads, but unfortunately they didn’t find any answers.

Resting after a hard day

"Sadly, this happens too often with animal abuse cases," says Field Operations Manager Stacie DaBolt, "We aren’t always able to catch the cold-hearted animal abuser and bring them to justice. Community involvement is key to helping us solve these cases, as we rely heavily on the people in the community to be our eyes and ears and help us find those who abuse helpless animals."

The most important thing is that Lotti is alive and well. Although no one has been held accountable for this hideous crime, Lotti was saved and given a second chance to be "man’s best friend." Once placed for adoption, she quickly found herself in the arms of her new loving family. She is happy in her new home with her caring owners and a couple of four-legged friends as well. Although, Lotti hit a rough patch in her life, she will now spend the rest of her life in a home where she will receive an endless amount of love.

But many other animals at the AHS shelters who share similar stories still need their second chance.

About Arizona Humane Society
Founded in 1957, the Arizona Humane Society is the state’s largest nonprofit animal welfare and protection agency. The mission of AHS is to improve the lives of animals, alleviate their suffering, and elevate their status in society.

Contacts
Ashleigh Goebel, Public Information Officer, Arizona Humane Society
(602) 997-7586, ext. 1020; cell: (602) 359-7997
Steve Carr, The Kur Carr Group, Inc., (602) 317-3040 (cell)