A Daytona Beach man surrendered to authorities Tuesday on a charge of cruelty to animals after an "extremely malnourished" dog was abandoned at Holly Hill dog park last week.
According to a Veterinarian Dr. Tierney Whalen's report, the dog, Bella, was "severely emaciated," her body was diagnosed with "muscle wasting" and showed signs of "urine scalding, fleas and anemia."
Byron Smith, 31, turned himself in at 11:33 a.m. Tuesday after admitting he knew that Bella was in poor health, over crated, underfed, that he did not provide medical treatment when he saw urine burns on her paws and abandoned her in the dog park, according to the arrest report.
Bella is being cared for by a Holly Hill police officer who hopes to adopt her.
Animal control contacted Mary Nichols, volunteer for Sophie's Circle Dog Rescue, around 8:30 a.m. Friday about the dog. Bella was found lying on a blanket inside the pavilion at the Riviera Oaks Dog Park on Alabama Avenue, a report stated. She was "extremely malnourished and covered in urine and feces."
Nichols, an animal advocate and rescue volunteer who lives close to the park, went to collect the dog and transport her to the vet, but said she was ill prepared for the scene that awaited her stating that it was "heartbreaking."
"I never expected to see what I saw when I got there," Nichols wrote in a Sophie’s Circle Facebook post. "This poor sweet girl was left with a blanket and that’s it. The pictures don't really show how emaciated this girl really is."
Nichols reported to police that the dog was microchipped, but when she reached out to the registered owners, they informed her that they had given Bella to Smith because they "can't have that type of breed due to their homeowners insurance." Bella is a pit-terrier mix according to the arrest report.
"She is the sweetest dog you could ever meet honest to god," Nichols said. "She is the biggest sweetheart after all she had been through with humans she is so trusting and loving."
Despite the circumstances, things seem to be looking up for this hard-luck pooch. Holly Hill Police Sgt. Lauren Broomfield, who found her in the park, took Bella home on Saturday and is currently fostering her until she is well enough to be adopted into the family.
"She didn't hesitate for a moment saying she wanted to take this dog in and adopt it into her family," said Nichols, explaining that she recommend foster to adopt until Bella is out of the woods. "Animal control and police officers get a bad rep but if it weren't for them the dog would have died."
Whalen said that although the dog is “extremely neglected and in poor condition” she feels the dog will “be okay.”
Sophie's Circle Dog Rescue wrote in a Facebook post Saturday that Bella "has to be on a very strict schedule for feeding and can only eat a special wet food for now."
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