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Sevier County Animal Control is seeking the public’s help for information on a potential animal cruelty case in which a dog was so malnourished it died.
According to Sevier Animal Care Center, the intake shelter for Sevier County Sheriff’s Animal Control, the roaming dog was discovered a few weeks ago when it approached people on Alton Drive in Kodak. The dog collapsed and died shortly afterward from what the shelter believes was starvation.
The dog is described as a female boxer, reddish brown in color but missing a lot of body hair. Its body condition was so emaciated that its skeleton was visible. It was wearing a dog collar and flea collar.
Shelter Director Ashley Thomas urged people with information to contact Animal Control and NOT post any information publicly, as the investigation is ongoing and circumstances of how the dog became malnourished are unknown at this time.
“Please keep in mind that we may not know the whole situation. We will not jump to conclusions right away,” said Thomas. “We want to make sure that this never happens again.”
The shelter named the dog Athena, after the warrior goddess who was known for strength, courage, and justice.
A reward is offered to anyone that reports information about this potential animal cruelty case to Animal Control at 865-453-4668. As of today, the reward is $600 and may increase with the public pledging to donate on the shelter’s social media.
