ASCHAE’s DogBlog

Source: TimesUnion.com, Nov 13, 2009

A Saratoga County man hunting on his property found something he was not looking for Sunday: A dog bound in duct tape and discarded in a trash bag.

The beagle, named Daisy, had been missing for two weeks. She is now recovering at home.

Her rescuer, Ed Dandaraw, 64, was hunting in a swampy area on his property when he spotted a small black bundle that he said at first looked like a bear cub.

Upon closer inspection, he thought it was just a black garbage bag — until it shifted and he saw two of the dog’s brown legs sticking out.

“When I pulled open the bag, she hardly moved,” said Dandaraw, who said the dog’s skin beneath the tape was hairless and appeared to be rotting. “I don’t think she had much time left.”

The dog’s entire head was wrapped in the tape as was the midsection of her body. Her two front paws were taped together, so that she couldn’t escape, Dandaraw said.

Saratoga County Undersheriff Michael Woodcock confirmed the dog had been found, but would not provide any details.

“(Whoever did this) was a very sick, deranged person,” Dandaraw said. “They left the nostrils open so she could breathe in the bag.”

He took the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic and using information from a microchip under her skin, Daisy was identified and returned to her owners.

The owners, who do not wish to be named, live about 5 miles away from where she was found. Dandaraw said the owner had been going around the town of about 1800 residents searching for Daisy.

Dandaraw said he spoke to the owners Wednesday night and they told him that Daisy, who lost about 20 pounds, is recovering well, though she can only eat very small meals and consequently is being fed six to seven times a day.

It was the first time in three years that Dandaraw walked into the swamps on the back of his property, a life-saving coincidence, he said. Now he wants justice brought to those responsible.

“I did my job in saving that dog,” Dandaraw said, “and now whoever can help to find out who can do this needs to stand up.”

Reach Humberto Martinez at 454-5057 or hmartinez@timesunion.com.