FOND DU LAC - Emaciated and barely able to stand, Achilles was found abandoned in an apartment just west of the city's downtown.
It's not clearhow long theblack and white mixed breed dog remainedshut inside a small room, apparently left there to die.
A police officer and Renee Webb from the Fond du Lac Humane Society came to the rescue on a Sunday afternoon back in September after receiving a tip from a neighbor. When they opened the door and saw the feces-filled room, Webb said therewas a look of utter relief in the dog's eyes.
"I swear, he knew help was there," Webb said.
The next day, another call involving animal abuse came over the police scanner. This time, two people were seen hurling tiny puppies — over and over — into a retention pond near West Rolling Meadows Drive.
A resident who witnessed thescene captured avideo of a man and a woman, raisingthe puppies over their heads and heaving theminto the pond. Both police and the humane society responded, and police later said the man spun the tiny dogs360-degreesand then launched them 10 to 20 feet into the water.
Stories of animal abuse and neglect happen far too often, and the outcomes can be devastating. But fortunately, Achilles and the two pups— named Jack and Jill —aregetting a second chance at life.
The three dogshave responded well to the love and care they’ve received at the Fond du Lac Humane Society, said shelter manager Riley Benz. In fact, Jill, a little boxer mix, was adopted byRyker Jeffery of Campbellsport.
Jeffery, who is a vet tech, said he has lived with animals all his life and can't comprehend how a person could treat a dogin such a cruel way. Herenamed the pupMellie.
“She is one of the most calm, obedient and loving pups I have ever seen, and already seems to love her new home and family," he said.
Jackis also ready for adoption. Smaller in size, with a black coat and white on his chest, he appears to be a pit-bull mix and not a litter mate of Mellie, Benz said. Shedescribes him as “spunky and playful."
"He is full of energy and theonly remnant of his ordeal is atiny scar on his head— an injury that occurred when he was thrown into the pond," she said.
Achillesis also on the road to recovery, Benz said, and has been steadily gaining weight. He came in at 29 pounds and now weighs 50 pounds, but ideally needs to put on an additional 10 pounds.
“We aren’t sure what kind of dog he is,we willknow more once he’s filled out," she said. "He's tall and a super friendly boy,always wagging his tail."
Achilles appears to be around 4 years old, and he's not quite ready for adoption. Benz said he requires ear surgery to fix some long-term issues caused by years of neglect.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said both cases of animal abuse have been referred to his office and are under review. Inthe incident involving the puppies, a 22-year-oldman was arrested for mistreatment of animalsand a 20-year-oldwomanfor being party to the crime. Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein said the couple, from Georgia, were released after each paid a cash bond of $250.
The property owner of the apartment where Achilles was found told police the renter hadnot been seen around in a while and the power to the apartment had been turned off for more than two months.Klein said in this case, charges of animal abandonment were referred for a 40-year-old Fond du Lac man.
Toney said he takes seriously and will prosecute cases involving neglect or cruelty to animals.
"Animals are considered to be a member of the family for many pet owners, myself included," Toney said. "Our pets don't have a voice to tell us what happened when they're abused. Sometimes the justice system is the only voice those pets will ever have."
Benz said she is thankful for all the caring people in the community who have offered support.The shelter is askingfor donations to pay for Achilles'sfood — Purina lamb and rice dogfood— that has slowly helped him reverse the effects of starvation.
Volunteers at first hand-fed the dog so he would not become food aggressive due to the neglect.
“We've had a lot of interest and people willing to adopt all three of these dogs,"Benzsaid. “We are hoping to find homes for all of them as soon as possible.”
The humane society has set up aSweetie Medical Fundthatprovides for animals that come to the shelter with major and extraordinary medical costs. To donate, or for more information on the shelter, visitfdlhumane.org.
Contact Sharon Roznik at 920-907-7936 or sroznik@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook atfacebook.com/reporterroz/
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