MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA — "As I sit at my desk with tears rolling down my cheeks I have to say I have never been so happy to hear news like I just heard. RICHARD COPE HAS BEEN CAPTURED…"
This is what Sherri Christopher, the founder of the Guardians of the Green Mile (GOGM), an animal shelter in Indiana, wrote on Facebook after rescuing a cute, adorable 4-month-old pitbull puppy from his owner.
Fifty-year-old Richard Cope is in fact not only the puppy's owner but also his abuser. He travelled over 1,000 miles to escape justice, but was eventually arrested in Texas on Sunday. He will now have to respond to the atrocities he committed.
His 4-month-old puppy, now called 'Chance' after the fact that he got a second chance at life, was found on Christmas day, by Camille Germain. He had his mouth taped shut with black electrical tape, so tight he could not even breathe. He also had both his back legs broken.
"He smelled like rotting flesh, and we could see all his bones," Germain was quoted by the Times of NorthWest Indiana as saying. "But he just wanted love — he was really sweet."
Veterinarians estimated that his mouth had been taped shut for two days and confirmed that his injuries were not from an accident but came from abuse. Officials believe the dog might have been used as bait for dog fighting.
After going through surgery and getting stitches, Chance is now making a full recovery,
and waiting for someone to foster him and adopt him.
Needless to say, GOGM received plenty of offers! and managed to raise US$6,500 to pay for Chance medical expenses, which amounted to US$10,000.
As for his former owner, he now faces one count of felony animal torture and three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, and could face up to six and a half years in prison.
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