News Article

ADVERTISEMENT Family's pit bull is targeted and tortured in Savage Article by: HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA Star Tribune July 26, 2012 - 9:05 PM A family pit bull was beaten, tortured and left for dead in Savage this week, and animal rescue workers said Thursday that the animal was targeted because of its breed. The dog's owner, Robert Cole, said Thursday he also believes the attack was directed at him because written on the back of the dog, Cesar, in green ink, were the words, "Back off Bob." "It wasn't random," said Cole, who works with pit bulls and advocates for them. "The person knew Cesar well enough to write on him. They were trying to get back at me through Cesar." Savage police confirmed on Thursday that investigators are looking into the incident, which happened at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. "I don't know what the motive is," Savage police Capt. David Muelken said. "This is a first of its kind in the city." Muelken refused to provide details of the attack because it is an open investigation, but he said police were making progress and close to discovering who did it. The animal was taken from its fenced yard while two other dogs, a black Labrador retriever and a Chihuahua mix, were also outside. The other two dogs were not touched, but 4-year-old Cesar was taken and dumped in the driveway 15 minutes later. Cole said his fiancée found the dog limping up the drive, losing a lot of blood and with a cut on its leg deep enough to expose bone. Joan Tabak, a spokeswoman for Midwest Animal Rescue and Services (MARS), said the writing on the fur and the fact the other dogs were unharmed lead her and the family to consider this a breed-specific attack. "We believe he was targeted because he is a pit bull," Tabak said. "It's a very sick situation. These animals, especially pit bulls, are misunderstood." Tabak said she and her group are unaware of other instances in the Twin Cities where a pit bull had been targeted. Tabak said Cesar was rushed to the vet and was without a heartbeat for a short time. The dog was revived and returned home late Wednesday night. By late Thursday afternoon, the dog was doing better, she said. "He's improving," Cole said. "But it's a lot of pain control." Cole said he has a good idea who might be involved in the attack but did not provide further details because of the Savage police investigation. MARS uses Cesar as a therapy dog to help other dogs that have been rescued. He is brought in to calm the other dogs, Tabak said. The plight of the dog has been highlighted on the group's Facebook page and donations from all over the state and the country have been pouring in. "This renews your faith in people," Tabak said. "The person who committed this crime is the exception and not the rule." Heron Marquez • 952-746-3281