The Anderson County Humane Society is asking the community to help them cover veterinary expenses for one of the worst cases of animal cruelty the agency said it has ever seen.
The ACHS said “Salem,” a German shepherd, was originally picked up by Laurens county Animal Control in Waterloo on July 3.
The dog’s entire body was covered in sores.
GRAPHIC photos of dog being treated by Anderson Co. Humane Society
“The skin was literally melting off the bone,” the ACHS posted on Facebook. “Salem was transferred to ACHS and we were horrified by her condition, not only was she wounded from head to toe, she had maggots in her wounds and in some places you could see all the way to the bone.”
Salem was also extremely emaciated and weighed only 33 pounds. Officials said she had been eating grass, leaves, and rocks.
Salem has now been undergoing intense veterinary care for more than five days and total costs of treatment are expected to be upwards of $2,000.
“This is day five and the expenses are mounting but we made a commitment to her,” ACHS posted on Facebook Wednesday. “The vets believe she will survive and we intend to do everything in our power to help her. This is one of the worst cases of animal abuse we have ever saw.”
Officials said the Anderson County Humane Society is a 501c3 no kill rescue and its foster program does not receive any county funding. It is ran by volunteers.