A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the abuse of Charlie. Charlie is the emaciated young adult pitbull mix that was found in a garbage tote by Buffalo sanitation workers last week.
Charlie was covered with cuts and bruises and could barely lift his head when found in the Bailey-Walden area of the city. The SPCA of Erie County is now caring for him and said an anonymous donor has come forward to offer the reward.
In her latest Facebook update, Chief Medical Officer Helene Chevalier said Charlie's wounds are being treated. That includes puncture wounds and pressure sores. He has gained some weight and is walking. However, the results of lab work show Charlie suffers from a blood disease.
"The red blood cells - you now, the amount of hemoglobin he has in his blood - is very low, which could be associated with the fact he's very thin. If he doesn't have a lot of iron, it's going to be low," Chevalier said. "But now we are concerned about his platelets in his blood. So we're going to do more diagnostics, more investigation, and we're going to follow him very closely."
Chevalier said Charlie had to have a blood transfusion and is now on medication to treat his condition.
"We are cautiously optimistic. We still have to investigate the fact that his platelets are very low and we're putting him on iron supplements," she said. "We're feeding him four times a day, small amounts, to get his stomach used to using the food again."
Anyone with information that would lead to an arrest and conviction in the SPCA's cruelty investigation is encouraged to call 875-7360, ext. 221. Tips can be anonymous.
