'Shocking, Disturbing And Horrific': BARCS Hoping To Save Dog Found In Baltimore Alley With Severe Neck Injuries
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter is hoping to save a dog who was found in a Baltimore alley last week with severe injuries to her neck.
Layla was standing in an alleyway in the Forest Park neighborhood, tied on a cord that led to her backyard. Her collar was so tight, it split her neck open, digging several inches into her skin.
City animal control responded immediately and took Layla to BARCS. The staff wasn't sure they could save her, but they were going to try. The collar was so tight, they couldn't even remove the metal clip from the collar.
"Her condition when she first came in was shocking, disturbing and horrific," said Bailey Deacon with BARCS.
She needed emergency surgery and the BARCS is hoping the public will donate to their Franky Fund to help with her care.
Even after that surgery, Layla is still in critical condition. Any infection would be considered life-threatening.
"For an embedded collar, this is one of the worst that all of us here have ever seen," Deacon said.
In a blog post Sunday, BARCS said they were "angry, horrified and heartbroken" by her story.
"We never get immune to seeing this kind of abuse. Layla's injuries didn't happen overnight; they are the result of long-time abuse and neglect. Her case is one of the worst, if not the worst and most disturbing, embedded collar situations we have ever seen. It is unthinkable to imagine what kind of person would allow this to happen to such a beautiful and loving creature. And, through this entire nightmare, Layla's biggest concern is giving kisses," the group wrote.
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Neighbors near where she was found were stunned to hear the news.
"It's no excuse, none whatsoever, none whatsoever, to hurt an animal like that," neighbor Carol White said.
WJZ showed the graphic photos to neighbor Maurice Way. He called them "horrible."
"I don't even know how you do that to a dog honestly," he said. "It's somebody that doesn't care."
Police are investigating. If you have any information about Layla, you can call the Baltimore City 311 hotline to file a report with the police department and Baltimore City Animal Control. The hotline is available 24/7, and callers are able to remain anonymous.
To read more about Layla's story or to contribute to her medical bills, click here.
