La. puppy found with mouth, throat duct-taped


A pit bull puppy, named Otis, was found with his mouth and throat tightly taped in LaPlace, La., last week, according to Louisiana TV station WDSU.

Otis' rescuer, an unidentified woman, found him in the streets of St. John the Baptist parish. Vet Naturally is treating Otis for free, and Otis now has support of a foster mom, Stephanie Pagliarulo of Mandeville, La.  Otis also suffered two broken toes on one of his paws.

The abuse is described as a likely copycat to what happened last month to 15-month-old  Staffordshire Caitlyn, a stray in South Carolina, who sustained life-threatening injuries when her muzzle was taped.

While Caitlyn's injuries required reconstructive surgery, Otis' were less serious and a full recovery is expected. Local Sheriffs are investigating and offer a $700 reward for information regarding Otis' abuser.

Police arrested Caitlyn's abuser, William Leonard Dodson, on animal cruelty charges June 1st, according to People magazine.

Otis is availible for adoption, and individuals can donate to the reward by contacting animalhelperneworleans@gmail.com.

similar story occured in Florida last year, when the Palm Beach County Sheriff  Office arrested Boynton Beach woman,  Andrea Melinee Curiel, who had duct-taped her pit bull's mouth shut.