Police: Owner faked story of dog's slit throat, duct-taped muzzle to get free vet care

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — A person who told veterinarians a dog was found in Butler County, Ohio, with a duct-taped muzzle and slit throat allegedly made up the story to get the dog free care, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office.

The dog instead suffered the injury to the throat on a barbed wire fence and the injuries to her snout because the owners put her in a muzzle to keep her from chewing things and attacking other animals, the owner said.

After investigation that included the Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputy dog wardens, it was determined the person who initially reported finding the injured dog, Dani, and taking her to the Twin Maple Veterinarian Clinic was the dog’s owner.

News of the injured dog was first reported Friday.

Upon interviewing the owner, it was relayed to detectives that the canine had cut its throat on a barbed wire fence, and they could not afford the veterinarian bills, so they made up a story about finding an injured dog to get her help for free, the Sheriff’s Office said. The owner also said the dog did not have its muzzle taped up, as was originally claimed.

The snout area that appeared to be injured was due to the owners keeping the canine muzzled for several hours a day because the dog was chewing up items in their residence and being aggressive towards their other canine, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Detectives followed up with the Twin Maple Veterinarian Clinic, where it was determined that the neck injury to Dani was not intentional and the duct tape story was not accurate.

“After the investigation was completed it was determined that this incident did not occur in Butler County, but we will make a joint effort to work with the adjacent jurisdiction to ensure this case is dealt with appropriately,” Sheriff Richard Jones said.

The owner of the dog is a Warren County resident, so any charges would be filed in that jurisdiction.

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