'Shaking' Caged Dog Rescued From Illinois Lake

CHAMPAIGN, IL — A fisherman credited with rescuing a caged dog he found floating in Kaufman Lake on Saturday has since found the dog a new, loving home — with him and his girlfriend. According to a GoFundMe page created for "Dory/Poppy"— the pup's name is still to be determined — and the dog's medical expenses and care, Bryant Fritz discovered the young dog inside a cage that was in the water, stuck on a tree branch.

Fritz said he heard grunting noises and spotted the caged pup. "I dropped my fishing rods and tackle box, looked around with nobody in sight. I could tell that she saw me and I didn't want to leave her for help or wait. So I took off three layers of sweatshirts and my jeans and went in. I'm 6'5" and the water was above my waist," Fritz wrote.

After Fritz got out of the water with the dog and crate in hand, he saw "blood on the pavement" and said the dog "was missing fur everywhere."

"She had sores on her body and the skin on her paws was gone,"Fritz said. He took the dog to his truck and drove "so fast" he could barely remember it, according to the GoFundMe page.

Fritz said when he got home, the dog couldn't stand and was shaking, so he wrapped her in a dry fleece blanket and he and his partner, Krystal, drove to University of Illinois Vet Med Clinic.

"A vet took her from my arms within a few minutes," Fritz said on the GoFundMe page. "I filled out some paperwork and let them know that if she made it, I wanted to give her a loving home. I called back 2 hours later fearing the worst, but she was stable. Her temperature was so low that it didn't even register initially. Her crate was covered in dried feces, more than hours in the water could not wash clean. I think people should know this too. She was suffering long before she was dropped in the lake."

On Monday, the U of I College of Veterinary Medicine announced on Facebook that dog was well enough to be released to Champaign County Animal Control, which will "care for her until the police investigation wraps up."

"Despite her sad treatment, she is a very happy puppy, and we know she deserves a loving forever home!" the college wrote.

On Wednesday afternoon, $6,635 — more than the page's $5,000 goal — had been raised for the dog's care.

"I want to publicly thank the University of Illinois Vet Program for all they have done for, and continue to do for this sweet puppy," Susan Hillard, organizer of the GoFundMe, wrote. "We are so very fortunate to have access to top-notch care with this facility. I know she will need more care going forward, and Bryant plans to use these funds to cover her future medical costs. To everyone who donated, prayed, sent good vibes, shared the link, or the story, I am so very thankful! Bryant is a hero and I look forward to the announcement that Dory-Poppy is finally home with him!"

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Urbana police are asking for the public's help with identifying the person who committed the crime of dumping the dog in the lake. If you know who this dog belonged to or who dumped this dog, please contact the Champaign Police at 217-351-4545 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS.

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