A 15-year-old blind, deaf and severely neglected Pug was found abandoned in a box at a Walmart parking lot. The dog’s former owner, 52-year-old Rita Swartz, now faces up to 3 months in jail for animal cruelty charges.
The elderly Pug was discovered near a donation bin by the Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). She suffered from a double ear infection, a rupturing eye, rotting teeth and clear signs of prolonged neglect.
Swartz claims she reached out to shelters to care for the dog but found none willing to help. The SPCA disputes being contacted. Abandoning an animal is a second-degree misdemeanor in Medina County punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $750 fine.
The rescued Pug, named Agnes by the SPCA, received initial veterinary treatment but requires eye surgery and dental work. Due to her advanced age and poor health, she may not survive the procedures. Instead, Agnes was placed with a foster family to live out her final days in comfort.
The foster family ended up adopting Agnes permanently. She has her own safe space in their home accommodating her blindness and deafness. The family provides Agnes with daily medication and attentive care despite her extensive needs.
Elderly and special needs pets like Agnes require dedicated commitment. The SPCA is relieved such a loving home embraced her remaining time. Cases like Agnes show why abandoning senior, sick pets is never an option.
Owner surrender of unwanted or difficult pets should only be to reputable shelters or rescues able to provide proper care. Harsh animal cruelty charges serve as a reminder that abandoning pets is unacceptable. Thanks to the SPCA’s intervention, Agnes finally received the love and comfort long denied by her owner.
🐕 We are a small group of dog-loving people who decided to undertake this small project to help dogs that are abandoned in the streets. Using a % of the money raised from sales, we take care of feeding them and grant them a home to live in.
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