Dear Editor,

I remember getting the call at 1 a.m. on a Sunday morning from the Selma Police Department. They had arrested a man for driving under the influence and needed to impound the car he was driving but could not because of the two seriously injured pit bulls in the trunk. I told them I would be right down to see what we could do.

As we opened the trunk, I saw two pit bulls with severe wounds all over their bodies. They were tied to the hinges of the trunk with ski ropes and had huge logging chains on their collars.

They were pitiful.

I am usually cautious around pits, but they looked up at me like they were saying, “Please help us.” We cut the ropes and I reached in and picked them up one at a time and carried them to Northside Animal Hospital.

The male we named Sampson and the little black female, Delilah. Delilah was in the worst shape. I have been told that she was probably used as a bait dog to train the other dogs on. She was one of the sweetest dogs I have ever treated. Even with the horrendous bite marks and punctures all over her body, she was always wagging her tail and loving on us as we tried to save her. Unfortunately after 10 days of treatment, Delilah had to be euthanized. Her wounds were too extensive.

Sampson went on to a full recovery and after 5 months has now been placed in a rescue in South Carolina.

Needless to say, my staff and I became very attached to both animals and the staff spent hours treating and working with them. Delilah is buried on my groomer’s farm. I would like to thank them all, plus Janet and Greg Ealum of Maebelle’s Bridge Rescue for all of their help in finding a home for Sampson and transporting him to South Carolina. I also wish to thank Shannon Lynch of the district attorney’s office. Shannon is actively prosecuting the individual in Sampson and Delilah’s case.

I am writing to bring dog fighting to the public’s attention. I have seen first hand the pain and suffering inflicted on innocent animals and it is indescribable.

If anyone suspects someone fighting dogs, or any animal cruelty, please report it to Shannon Lynch with the district attorney’s office. With everyone’s help maybe we can eradicate this disease from Dallas County.

 

Mike Wells

DVM, Northside Animal Hospital