Rescue of Emaciated Catahoula Leopard Dog Leads to Arrests in Florida
An emaciated Catahoula leopard dog was found on the streets of Lehigh Acres, Florida. When the rescue of a dog who was barely more than skin and bones became public knowledge, the community was outraged.
Thankfully, Mutty Paws Rescue took her in. She required immediate, intensive care to survive. She was later named Khaleesi
Initially, rescuers thought Khaleesi was a senior dog due to her terrible condition. However, they soon discovered she was only one year old.
After spending over a week in the ICU, Khaleesi was cleared to go home. She was placed with a foster family, but her recovery journey had only just begun.
The rescue provided an update the next day, sharing Khaleesi’s ongoing treatment plan. She would continue to receive care during the day and stay with her foster family at night.
The rescue urged supporters to keep praying for her recovery. Despite being in loving hands, her story was still incomplete. The person responsible for her suffering had not yet been identified.
The Rescue of A Dog, Part Two
This week, two suspects were arrested, revealing another heartbreaking discovery. The rescue announced, “TWO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE. More dogs found.”
The suspects, identified as Ashley Howard and Charles Koons, were Khaleesi’s former owners. They were taken into custody by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Cruelty Task Force.
The rescue team expressed their devastation over the new details. The emotional toll of this case was more than they had imagined.
According to WBBH-TV, three other dogs were found in Howard’s possession. One dog, owned by Koons, was in good condition. However, two others were in the same dire state as Khaleesi when she was found.
Lee County deputies revealed Howard had been caring for Khaleesi for months before abandoning her on the streets. She was also “caring” for the two other malnourished dogs.
Although Koons’ dog was healthy, he allegedly knew about the neglected dogs under Howard’s care. This led to his arrest as well.
In a follow-up post, the rescue clarified, “KHALEESI WAS NOT THE ONLY VICTIM. Her story broke the case, leading to the discovery of others suffering like she was.
Yes, we will help them, but they are now part of a criminal case. We must respect and follow the court’s lead.”
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno expressed his disgust at the extreme suffering inflicted on these helpless dogs.
“Thanks to the incredible work from our Animal Cruelty Task Force and East CID Detectives, the suspects are behind bars,” he said.
The suspects each face three charges of animal cruelty. Their arrests brought some comfort to the rescue team. They had faced heart-wrenching decisions about Khaleesi’s care.
“We spent countless hours with Khaleesi in emergency care, making tough decisions about whether to keep fighting or let her rest.
We shed more tears than we ever imagined possible,” the rescue shared. “But Khaleesi had the will to live, and she’s starting to turn the corner toward the rest of her life.”
While the trauma Khaleesi endured can never be erased, the rescue team promises her a future filled with love, food, and all the care she will ever need.
I did not include a photo of Khaleesi, as it would be too upsetting for most readers to see.
