The Associated Press
10/28/2003, 5:34 a.m. ET


WEST LAWN, Pa. (AP) — A puppy underwent surgery and was recovering at an animal hospital after it was found abandoned in a supermarket parking lot with rubber bands wrapped around all four of its paws, officials said.

The dog, a Shih Tzu-Maltese mix believed to be 6- to 7 months old, was found by a passer-by Friday afternoon in a plastic cat-carrier box outside a Reading food market. The puppy was operated on the same day to remove the rubber band from its flesh.

"This was a deliberate act of cruelty," said Tracie Graham, a Humane Society state dog-law enforcement officer. "The only purpose to do that was to torture the animal, which I believe was left to die."

Graham said the rubber bands may have been used for amputation purposes.

John F. Hampson, a veterinarian who performed the surgery, said the rubber bands may have been wrapped around the dog's paws between two and five days.

"Another 24 to 36 hours and she would have lost more than one foot," said Hampson, who believes the puppy may be able to keep all of its paws.

The dog was resting at Wyomissing Animal Hospital in Spring Township and is expected to remain there for about a week, Hampson said.
http://pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/in...37542118921.xml