Rocky -- he hid behind the officer...

We’re going to do a brief afternoon edition today about one dog who is in the Collin County Animal Services shelter in McKinney.

The story may just make you angry.

The initial plea to help Rocky was sent out to rescue groups because Collin County’s looking for someone to pull the pup and give him a good and decent place to live out his life. (Individuals can't adopt from the county shelter, but rescue groups can step up and help the animals.)

Our first contact was with DeDe Whitcombe who is with the Collin County Humane Society and has tipped us to many stories about animals in need. But this one got to her, too, and she said, “I am sure we will never know the extent of what this poor dog has been through.”

She put us in touch with CCAS’s Lisa Drummond who said that Rocky is a really sweet dog. He was living in Frisco. She says the address in the cruelty complaint had a note for animal control officers that warns them not to go there alone.

It was into this sort of inhospitable situation that animal control officers went to rescue Rocky.

Lisa wrote, “The owner has a lot of issues with the police so when animal control was called out there they had to take the police with them. ... When they opened the door the dog ran out and hid behind the animal control officer refusing to even look at the owner, cowering.”

Lisa says the man’s wife was standing in the doorway and holding a baby. And the dog dashed out and actually used the animal control officer as a shield.

She says, “The man is a wife-beater among other things. So I am sure he was horrible to poor Rocky.

“They were not feeding him food, just bacon grease. How bizarre. They said they were trying to put weight on him.

“When the ACO threatened to take the dog and have him tested to see if they were feeding him gunpowder if they did not surrender him, the owner said he would sign him over.”

As veterans of dog cruelty situations know, some people believe feeding gunpowder to a dog will make the dog more aggressive, meaner, more likely to fight. It really just tears up the dog's insides.

“I can only imagine the horror this poor guy has gone through,” says Lisa. “He is a very loving boy despite his previous conditions.

“If someone could take this poor baby in to a rescue I am sure he would be an amazing and loyal companion for his new owners. He deserves a second chance at a real family after all he has gone through. If you have room or know of someone who does please let me know. I would love for this dog to have the chance to know real love and caring. Thanks to all of the rescuers who save these babies daily, you are true heroes!”

To offer the shelter of a rescue group, e-mail ldrummonds@co.collin.tx.us or call 972-547-7298 or 972-249-7327.

I thought it was important for people who aren’t involved in rescue to see one more way people abuse animals – feeding only bacon grease, or maybe adding gunpowder to the mix. Geez.

(Soapbox aside: We could probably raise enough money to care for Rocky for the rest of his life we if could just auction off an opportunity to take a homerun swing at the grease-feeding, gunpowder jerk with a two-by-four. But that would be wrong. Probably would feel good, but it would be wrong. And, we should honor Rocky with peace and tenderness, I guess. Dangit.)

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Comments

[Dianne]

It would "make my day" to have an opportunity to swing a bat at the head of the grease-feeding, gunpowder jerk and I would consider that being let of easy. As always, I'd adopt Rocky in a heart beat if I didn't already have three large, very spoiled pups and a husband that would divorce me should I bring another pet home. Hopefully some rescue will step up to the plate.

[Della]

Yes, dangit !! Where does this creep live? Someone needs to keep watch on his yard to make sure there are no more animals there.

[Melissa]

Would it really be so wrong to hit him upside the head with a 2x4? I'm not so sure. I'm with Dianne - I'll take a turn.

[Steven]

Larry thanks for posting Rocky. I can assure all of you no other animals at this location. Luckly others are seeing the love Rocky wants to give to someone. Pulling for a win on this one.