Man charged with animal abuse after selling starved dog online
Posted Feb 4, 2014 06:21:49 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — A man has been charged with animal abuse, after a starving Great Dane was sold online.
The emaciated dog, named Charlie, was sold on Kijiji on Jan. 20 and his new owner turned the dog over to the Humane Society within hours of the purchase.
“I have never seen a dog this skinny that was alive,” said Bruce Roney, Executive Director of the Humane Society. “This dog is skin and bones.”
Roney said he believes the buyer purchased the dog with the intent of saving it.
The Ottawa Humane Society veterinarian said a dog of Charlie’s size should weigh about 120 lbs. but the dog weighed just 53 lbs. when he was rescued.
Investigators said Woodruff hadn’t been feeding the dog enough for months.
“Our vets were very concerned about him. He did gain 10 lbs. while he was with us,” said Roney.
Jason Woodruff, 32, has been charged with permitting an animal to be in distress and with failing to provide adequate food, water and medical attention.
Woodruff could face up to two years in jail, as well as a $60,000 fine and a lifetime ban on owning animals.
