Caitlyn, the dog whose muzzle was taped shut, had a successful surgery Wednesday to repair her mouth and tongue, and doctors are finally optimistic about the animal's recovery.
Doctors had been concerned that the dog, a 15-month-old pitbull mix, would not recover full use of its tongue, which had been caught between its teeth when the owner taped Caitlyn’s mouth shut with
electrical tape, USA Today reported.
Dr. Henri Bianucci at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant,
South Carolina, told WCIV, "Her tongue was in way better condition that we anticipated. It was initially assessed that we would lose about a third of her tongue, and we sort of revised that estimate to a fourth, but I don't think she lost an eighth of it."
Still, Caitlyn’s recovery will be a long one, according to the Charleston Animal Society. Since photos were posted of Caitlyn’s injuries and word spread that its muzzle was taped shut for multiple days.
Authorities arrested owner William Leonard Dodson, 41, in connection to Caitlyn’s injuries. He was charged with ill treatment of an animal involving torture, WCIV said.
Joe Elmore, CEO of the Charleston Animal Society, told USA Today that numerous calls have come in to adopt Caitlyn, but said the dog will go to a specialized foster home first to recover.
"People all over the country and world have reached out to us," he said with a reminder to people that the shelter is "drowning" with unwanted animals. "Right now we have 200 other Caitlyns we need to find homes for."
People online have reacted with horror since Caitlyn’s injuries came to light:
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