Dog’s Mouth Taped Shut With Electrical Tape For Two Days [Update]

Photos showing a dog’s mouth taped shut rocked the internet this week as the 15-month-old pit bull was not expected to live when first brought in to the Charleston Animal Society in North Charleston, South Carolina.

According to a new report from the Huffington Post, the dog (named Caitlin) was brought in by her former owners, who had sold her on Memorial Day to an unidentified man.

The couple said they sold the dog because she was too “energetic” and “destructive.” Even so, the former owner had one message for the man who purchased the dog.

“Don’t let me find you… That’s all I can say, don’t let me find you because that’s part of my family you just did some foul things to.”

Caitlin was found with her mouth taped shut two days after the Memorial Day sale. She was not far from her former owners home, painting an even more heartbreaking picture of the scenario.

Apparently she was either dumped or had found her way back to her former family after being horribly mistreated. The animal’s tongue was lodged between her sharp teeth, cutting off circulation and resulting in the deformed look that you see in the images above and below. Warning: The pics below are more than a little disturbing.

Fortunately, Caitlin’s prospects have turned around, and it looks like she’s going to make it, according to a follow-up from ABC News 4.

The Charleston Animal Society reports that she has finally started to move around and take food.

“She is still really swollen, but she’s walking,” said CAS spokeswoman Kay Hyman. “She was eating small portions of food. Today, I feel much more at ease.”

If you’re wondering how anyone could think a dog with its mouth taped shut is amusing or an acceptable form of discipline, you’re not alone.

Commenters have referred to humans as “the worst species” as a result of this.

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” followed a second. “Makes me ashamed to be one.”

“The cruelty of some people is unbelievable,” said Emily DeJan. “I hope this poor young dog survives and thrives this awful injury [sic]. I hope the microchip information leads law enforcement to the monsters who damaged this poor pup and to pressing severe charges against them. We rescued a dog who was tortured as a young pup. He has survived the physical injuries but definitely has PTSD which he will never overcome. It’s sad but I’m glad he found us.”

The Humane Society has upped its reward offer for information leading to the arrest of the “mouth taped shut” animal abuser. It was at $1,000 and has increased to $5,000.

What do you think should happen to whoever did this, and would you be willing to take in a dog like Caitlin?

[Images via ABC News 4 and Charleston Animal Society, linked above]