Puppy Found Burned

The Camden County animal shelter is looking for the person who repeatedly abused a puppy.

The animal was rescued and workers at the Camden County Animal Shelter are trying to nurse it back to health.

Workers are calling the boxer/pit bull mix Pixie. They estimate the dog is around 6 or 7 months old and it is covered from head to toe with cigarette burns.

"It has happened over a period of time. Some of the wounds seem to be scarred over and other seem relatively fresh," said Lisa Ricigliano, director of operations at the Camden County Animal Shelter.

"She had encountered wounds over 70 to 75 percent of her body very, very painful, Just a single cigarette burn is painful, she's got numerous (burns)," said Dr. Martin Baynes, veterinarian.

Pixie is getting pain medicine and antibiotics. Monday, her wounds were clipped and cleaned to avoid a secondary infection.

Pixie was a stray that was picked up by animal control. She had no tags and no identification, but authorities are hoping someone can tell them who she belonged to.

"We'd love to be able to pursue this to make sure this person isn't able to do it to another animal," Ricigliano said.

Despite her current condition, animal shelter workers feel that, with care, Pixie can be saved and adopted.

"With adults, with people who can spend time with her, she'd do wonderful. She's certainly very friendly and she's anxious to please, so she'll learn," Ricigliano said.

Camden County medical experts think it will take about two months until all her sores are healed and the fur is regrown. They hope by that time, she'll be socialized and can find a loving family to give her a good home for the rest of her life.

For more information on how you can adopt Pixie, call the Camden County Animal Shelter at (856) 401-1300.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Copyright 2004 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.