Injured dog was dragged by vehicle

Morgan County Animal Control picked up a severely injured dog on Meridian Road near Spruce Pine Hollow, east of Berkeley Springs, on Friday, July 30.

At first it appeared the dog had been hit by a car, but after an emergency vet visit and surgery, it was determined that the dog had been tied to a vehicle and dragged over asphalt.

Morgan County Humane Society president George Farnham called it “the worst case of animal cruelty that I have ever witnessed in Morgan County.”
The mostly black dog, now named Booboo, is a seven-month-old female puppy, probably a lab mix, and weighs about 25 lbs.

Dr. Mark Roberts of the Berkeley Springs Animal Hospital performed the surgery that saved the life of the dog. He has waived most of his fees for treatment.

The rear feet of the dog were ground to the bone with all the ligaments and tendons torn away. Other injuries included replacing her left knee ligaments, road rash and a hernia from hitting objects in the road while she was being dragged. The injuries became infected and that tissue had to be removed.

As word got out, the Humane Society received pledges for $6,600 (so far) toward a reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the act of animal cruelty.

“What happened to this dog is unconscionable and deplorable. Hopefully those involved will be caught and prosecuted,” Farnham said.

Recovery is expected to take several months. For now, Booboo remains at the animal hospital. She is wagging her tail and doing as well as can be expected given her injuries.

When released, she will be cared for by Humane Society staff until she is well enough to be adopted.

An investigation by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department is under way.

The animal control officer who discovered the dog interviewed residents of the area where the dog was recovered, but no witnesses have yet been found.
Anyone with information may contact the Sheriff’s Department or the Humane Society.