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Rescued abused dog might recover; owner charged

By Jeff Rivenbark - email 

By Trent Faris - bio l email

ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - Authorities in York County have charged a Rock Hill woman with animal cruelty after her dog was found living in inhumane conditions earlier this month.

The dog was found chained outside 42-year-old Karen Erby's home at 305 Marshall Street on Sunday, Jan. 10. 

According to a report filed with the Rock Hill Police Department, officers said the dog appeared sick when they found her.  She did have a food bowl, water bowl and shelter readily available, the police report indicated. 

Erby told police officers her dog had been sick for some time and Erby claimed she was attempting to nurse the canine back to health.  She voluntarily turned the dog over to animal control officers and taken to Ebenezer Animal Hospital in Rock Hill.

The first thing Doctor Elizabeth Hill at Ebenezer Animal Hospital thought when she saw the dog.

"I thought if she can make it it's going to be a miracle," said Dr. Hill.

The people that rescued her named her "Hope" in the hope she would survive.

After examination Hope had a list of problems from abuse, intestinal parasites, a heart murmur, severe mange, and literally skin and bones.

Doctors say the pit bull mix is just a puppy at 10 months old.  

"You can feel her vertebra, that should be covered with muscle," said Dr. Hill.  "We're having to stretch her stomach back out and she had to learn how to drink out of water bowls."

On Thursday, Rock Hill police arrested and charged Erby with cruelty to animals.

Animal control officials said the dog was malnourished and 15 pounds underweight.  According to the warrant filed against Erby, the dog had a skin infection which went untreated and developed into demodectic mange.  She was too weak to raise her head or walk, the warrant stated.  In addition, officials said motor oil had been poured all over the dog's coat.

"They said they were treating her mange with motor oil which is an old wives tail," said Gina Pratt, one of the rescuers from the Animal Adoption League in Rock Hill. 

They washed Hope three times to remove the motor oil from her coat.

If you can donate anything to help with Hope's medical costs, call Ebenezer Animal Hospital at 803-366-1950.  You can also mail a donation at 2445 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

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