Story about a dog found with her snout taped shut and throat cut was a hoax by owner who wanted free vet care, cops say - East Idaho News
National

Story about a dog found with her snout taped shut and throat cut was a hoax by owner who wanted free vet care, cops say

  Published at

(CNN) — Everyone was rooting for Dani the dog, who was reported to have been found on the side of an Ohio road with her snout duct-taped shut and her throat cut.

Turns out it was all a hoax by somebody seeking free veterinary care, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities put out a news release Friday saying a resident walking in Madison Township on August 17 discovered Dani. The dog was rushed to Twin Maple Veterinarian Clinic.

“This is appalling, words cannot describe the disgust I’m feeling right now,” Sheriff Richard Jones said in a news release.

RELATED | A dog survived after being found with her muzzle taped shut and throat cut

By Monday, an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office concluded the entire story was made up — and the person who reported finding Dani was actually her owner.

The Sheriff’s Office said an interview with the owner revealed the dog cut her throat on a barbed wire fence. The owner could not afford the bills for vet care “so they concocted a story to get the canine help for free,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a second news release posted on Facebook.

And the part about Dani’s snout being duct-taped was also a story, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“The snout/mouth area that appeared to be injured was due to the owners keeping the canine muzzled for several hours a day due to it chewing up items in their residence and being aggressive towards their other canine,” the news release said.

“After the investigation was completed it was determined that this incident did not occur in Butler County, but we will make a joint effort to work with the adjacent jurisdiction to ensure this case is dealt with appropriately,” Jones said.

CNN has called the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, but has not heard back. It’s not known if any charges will be filed against the owner.

‘Unbelievable and disgusting’

The community that came together to find Dani a home is now lambasting the owner in the comments on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

“Unbelievable and disgusting. Charges still need to filed against the owners, this is still abuse and neglect of an animal,” one comment read.

“Please take their other canine from them as well! And charge them with abuse of Dani!” another read.

Overall the Butler County community still wanted to make sure Dani was safe and did not return to her original owner.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION