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Puppy abuse investigation nears end
By Charles Richards
The Paris News
Published November 23, 2004
CLARKSVILLE — Red River County Sheriff Jerry Conway says an investigation into the Nov. 12 abuse of a black mix Labrador puppy by two young boys in Bogata has reached the point that “we pretty much know who did it.”
“They’re juveniles, around 13 or 14,” Conway said Monday of the two boys suspected of the abuse. “It’s under investigation, and we’re trying to get it completed so we can get it to the court system.”
A trucker was on his way through Bogata, 23 miles southeast of Paris, that Friday morning when he saw two boys on bicycles dragging the puppy behind them on a roadway. He stopped and rescued the animal. He chased the boys, but they got away.
The trucker, whom sheriff’s deputy Terry Reid identified as Donald Thoms of Fort Worth, brought the puppy, cut almost in half by a wire that had been tied around his neck and torso, to the animal shelter in Paris.
The humane society arranged for immediate treatment at Lamar Veterinary Clinic, dipping into an emergency fund to pay the anticipated $300 expenses for more than 100 in stitches, antibiotics, care and kenneling by Dr. Bob Ables and his staff.
Conway said his office is trying to get back in contact with the trucker regarding a positive identification of the youths involved.
Reid said the sheriff’s office has received a number of calls from people in the community “pretty much outraged” by what happened.
“We’re outraged in the sheriff’s office also that it happened in our community, and we’re treating it accordingly,” Reid said.
Cruelty to animals is a state jail felony in Texas. Anyone under 17 would be prosecuted in juvenile court, under the supervision of the county judge.
In Bogata, residents have established a “Lucky Puppy Fund” at Guaranty Bank of Bogata.
“This fund will be used to reimburse as much as possible the emergency fund Lamar County Humane Association dipped in to save this precious puppy’s life,” said James Wood of Bogata.
“I challenge anyone who owns a dog to either drop by Guaranty and drop in a few bucks to this fund or mail a check to Lucky Puppy Fund, @ Guaranty Bank, P.O. Box 600, Bogata, Texas, 75417.”
At the end of two weeks, the donated funds will be given to the Lamar County Humane Association “as appreciation to them for taking care of one of our own,” Wood said.
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