Arvada Authorities Investigate Case of Abused Dog
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Arvada police are searching for the individual connected to the abuse of a dog found with apparent stab wounds and burn injuries. The Arvada Police Department responded to Majestic View Park in early September after receiving a report of a loose dog exhibiting signs of distress.
The responding officer discovered a pit bull-type dog, now affectionately named Iris, with multiple injuries indicative of abuse. Veterinarians at the Foothills Animal Shelter have been providing care for Iris since her discovery.
“She was, on arrival, noted to be pretty thin, pretty dehydrated, and obviously she had a fair number of wounds. She had some on her back and that pretty large burn on the left side of her face,” stated Dr. Andrea Palchak, DVM, a veterinarian at the Foothills Animal Shelter, in an interview with FOX31’s Kasia Kerridge.
Dr. Palchak elaborated on the initial treatment Iris received:
“She was started on some pain medications, antibiotics. She was given fluids under the skin.”
Iris remained at the shelter for approximately one month, during which time she underwent surgery to address the burn injury on her face. Dr. Palchak explained the procedure:
“Surgery was to apply something called a BioSIS … that’s made from pig small intestine that we bought that we sutured onto her face … so that her skin had something to grow on top of and could heal a little bit faster,”
Despite the severity of her injuries, Dr. Palchak described Iris’s resilience:
“She’s an angel. She didn’t seem bothered by it at all.”
Veterinarians estimate Iris to be approximately 5-6 years old. Since her rescue, she has gained over 20 pounds. Although there is some vision loss, Iris is expected to continue living a happy, healthy life in a home environment.
John Behnke, a shelter volunteer, recalls his first encounter with Iris and her subsequent foster placement:
“I just really fell for her. I knew she needed help, so she was always the first one I came and walked every time I came over here,” Behnke said. “It was shocking. Shocking to see how bad she looked.”
“She just needed to get out of the shelter, the shelter environment, she needed a good home,”
The total cost of Iris’s care is estimated to be around $15,000. However, the Foothills Animal Shelter was able to provide the necessary treatment thanks to community support. Dr. Palchak highlighted the community’s essential role:
“Her injuries were severe enough that unfortunately, I think a lot of organizations and a lot of shelters in this country wouldn’t have been able to care for her and we’re really lucky because of community support that we could,” Palchak.
Iris, the dog that was found with stab wounds and burn marks, is recovering after extensive medical care.
