Tortured, Then Abandoned, Standard Poodle Rescued By Animal Lover

TAMPA, FL — There's no way of knowing how many people drove by the suffering, tortured dog without giving it a second glance.

Royce may have spent hours sitting in the hot sun with a rope tightly bound around his snout before a compassionate passerby finally stopped to help.

Royce's rescuer told the staff at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay that his gentle eyes were pleading for help. The good Samaritan promptly pulled over and ushered the 2-year-old standard poodle into the car, rushing him to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

It wasn't until Humane Society veterinarians examined Royce that they realized the extent of the cruelty he'd endured. The rope had been wrapped so tightly around his muzzle that it had torn into his flesh, leaving a deep, painful, bloody gouge in his snout.

His overall condition made it obvious that the dog had endured a lengthy period of cruelty and neglect at the hands of his owner before he was tied to the side of the road and abandoned.

"It was also discovered that his suffering extended far beyond his face. Infected ears and bruising on his body bore testament to the immense pain he had endured," said Tampa Bay Humane Society Executive Director Sherry Silk. "Yet, despite the horrors he had faced, Royce's spirit remained unbroken."

Under the care of shelter veterinarians, Royce's physical wounds were tended to and surgery was performed to fix the damage around his snout, said Silk.

However, the gentle, loving dog has a long road back to recovery.

The humane society at 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, has launched a fund drive to raise money for Royce's continued care. To date, 33 people have contributed $1,195 for his care.

"We could not save the lives of animals like Royce without your help," Silk said.

Anyone wishing to donate to Royce's medical care can click here.