Trooper - Dragged Puppy Rescued by HSMO

March 6, 2013 - Trooper will be featured tonight on the Humane Society of Missouri Second Chances Telethon. Tune in to KMOV/Channel 4 at 8 PM to learn all about his incredible rescue and recovery. Donate to our telethon to help more animals like Trooper.

Trooper has started the next chapter of his amazing recovery by moving into foster care at the Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. He's able to run and play freely and enjoy the great life he deserves!

Trooper is not yet available for adoption, but we are working toward this outcome every day.

Trooper has grown into such a beautiful boy! He loves playing with other dogs at the Humane Society of Missouri and has become a tug-of-war champion. Trooper spends most days with his trainer working on socialization. He's a very friendly and good-natured pup.  Watch a video of Trooper playing with his friends.

Trooper continues to recover at the Humane Society of Missouri. He is enjoying short play sessions and spends time with his dedicated trainer almost every day. Watch a video of Trooper playing with a puzzle toy.

Thank you to KSDK-Newschannel 5 for their latest story on Trooper. Watch the story online to see how Trooper's doing and what's in store for him in 2013. 

To aid in Trooper's healing process, he has been receiving laser therapy treatments at the Humane Society of Missouri. This painless, non-invasive procedure is being used to reduce inflammation, and help speed up the healing of the open and granulating wounds on all four of his limbs.

Because laser therapy reduces inflammation, improves blood flow and releases natural endorphins, a growing number of veterinary practitioners are using lasers to relieve the chronic pain of aging and arthritic pets and treat dermatologic conditions. The Humane Society's Animal Medical Center of Mid-America offers laser therapy treatments to the public. Call (314) 951-1534 for more information about making a laser therapy consultation appointment for your pet.

Trooper's condition continues to improve at the Humane Society of Missouri. For more than a week, our Shelter Animal Behavior Manager has worked with Trooper to teach basic commands like "leave it" and "touch". We believe it is very important to exercise his mind as well as his body, and he's responded very well to his training (and treats!). He loves the attention, and working on manners gives him something to do to alleviate any boredom. Check back soon for another update! 

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force provides key video evidence leading to animal abuse charges in case of puppy dragged behind truck. 

Working with the St. Louis City Police Department and the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Warrant Office, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force provided key video surveillance evidence and extensive investigative and veterinary reports which culminated in a charge of animal abuse being filed today against an individual in the case of the 5 ½ month old puppy dragged behind a truck on Nov. 21, 2012.

Humane Society investigators discovered video surveillance tape of the puppy being tied to the truck. HSMO investigators and staff then spent many hours painstakingly reviewing this key evidence. “Since the day of the incident, HSMO’s animal cruelty investigators have worked diligently developing and following leads, conducting follow-up interviews, and canvassing neighborhoods in a determined effort to gather and provide the evidence needed to prosecute this case,” said Mike Perkins, director of Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force. “We were very pleased to work with St. Louis City Police Officer Louis Naes to provide his department with the information needed to be able to take this case forward.”

“This innocent, helpless puppy suffered horrifically and needlessly,” said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. “We owe it to Trooper, the millions of people around the world appalled by this crime and to our community to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We wish to thank the City Police Department and the Circuit Attorney’s Office for taking seriously this heartbreaking case of animal abuse and working with us to ensure a just outcome.”

Now 6 months old, Trooper’s extensive injuries continue to respond to treatment, according to Dr. Mark Wright, HSMO’s Director of Shelter Medicine.  “We continue to be very pleased with his progress but also realize Trooper has at least 4-6 weeks more of rehabilitation during which we will be on the watch for possible setbacks, including the risk of infection.”  Wright continued that while Trooper is demonstrating more of his exuberant puppy personality, HSMO’s animal care staff are carefully balancing the need for him to walk and play with his need for rest and recuperation.  

It's been three weeks since Trooper was rescued by the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force. Read a special e-mail message from Trooper sent today.

Watch a YouTube video of Trooper with his toys and treats.

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Trooper's abuser(s) has been raised to $5,000. Please call 314-647-4400 with any tips in this case.

Following surgery performed last week to clean and further close open wounds and assess the possibility of saving Trooper’s right front leg, Dr. Mark Wright, director of Shelter Medicine for the Humane Society of Missouri, said he continues to be guardedly optimistic about the possibility of saving the dog’s leg. 

Trooper is eating and drinking normally and he is walking on his own several times a day. Although his right front leg was severely injured, we see some improvement that gives us hope we may be able to save it. The puppy still faces 6-8 weeks of additional treatment and rehabilitation and the threat of infection is ever present.

We are doing everything we can to support his recovery but, in cases of incredible trauma like this, the situation can quickly change. Trooper’s got a lot of great spirit and we are all pulling for him to make a full recovery.

Trooper was up and walking around for a bit over the weekend. Here he is enjoying a toy and treat he received in the mail. Thank you for all the cards, gifts, and donations. We appreciate your support!

Trooper is holding steady at the Humane Society of Missouri. He is now able to drink well on his own and is eating some regular food. They are very small steps that could reverse at any point, but we are amazed by his progress thus far. Trooper will see the surgeon in the next 48 hours to determine if his front leg is able to be saved.

The 5 ½ month old, severely injured pit bull puppy rescued November 21 by the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force and named Trooper by his Humane Society caregivers is showing slight improvement but is still not out of the woods.  After five days of intensive treatment and care for severe injuries to his face, ears, shoulder, legs and right side, the Humane Society’s director of Shelter Medicine, Dr. Mark Wright, reports that he is guardedly optimistic about Trooper’s chances for recovery.  “This puppy has experienced severe trauma and horrible injuries and his condition could change quickly,” said Dr. Wright. “However, we are doing everything possible to support his recovery, reduce the chances for infection and keep him out of pain.  The fact that he has survived thus far is amazing.  He’s truly living up to his name and is a real Trooper.”

The Humane Society of Missouri is continuing to investigate the incident and is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for putting the dog in this horrific position. “We have received several tips and are fully investigating them,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of Operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. “We are doing several very important things for this helpless puppy:  giving him excellent veterinary treatment and loving care and finding out how this happened in order to hold accountable those who are responsible.”

Responding to a call this morning from the St. Louis City Police, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force dispatched an investigator to the scene of a severely injured dog that had been tethered to the back of a truck and drug along Highway 55. Upon arrival, the investigator found the driver of the truck distraught by the situation. He stated that he did not know the animal or how it became tied to the back of his vehicle. He was alerted to the incident by another driver who called the police, and signaled him that something was wrong. He pulled over and discovered the dog.

The Humane Society of Missouri is investigating the incident and is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for putting the dog in this horrific position. HSMO also is looking for the owner of the puppy. Persons with information should contact 314-647-4400. 

The puppy, a five and a half month old brown, male pit bull, was in shock and is suffering from severe and traumatic injuries including exposed tissue and bones. The puppy is being treated at the Humane Society of Missouri Maryland Heights facility and shelter veterinarians are closely monitoring his condition and doing everything they can to relieve his pain. He had a collar and leash, but no ID tag or microchip were found. 

“The puppy is in critical condition and it is too early to determine if he will survive his injuries,” said HSMO veterinarian Dr. Mark Wright. “We are stabilizing him and consulting with our surgeon to determine the appropriate course of treatment.”