Abused dog is on the mend

Elicits donations, adoption offers

Hilary Cohen, Norfolk's animal control officer, says her job has exposed her to both the best and worst of human nature. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff/file)

By nature, Hilary Cohen is protective of the lost or abused animals she sees in a day's work for Norfolk, whether it's a cat, dog, rooster, or - once - an alligator.

But she says a recent case, in which a puppy's leg was shattered with a baseball bat, has shown the town's animal control officer both the best and the worst of human nature.

Last week, she arranged reconstructive surgery for the 11-month-old German shepherd mix, served an animal-cruelty complaint against a woman allegedly involved in the case, and orchestrated fund-raising to pay the medical bills for "Buddy," an effort that touched a chord with animal lovers beyond the town's borders.

"I'm seeing people driving in from everywhere," said Cohen. "It really blows my mind."

Buddy was allegedly attacked in the early hours of Nov. 5, but it wasn't until the next afternoon that officials got a tip and were able to take him for treatment, Cohen said. At first, the dog's owners wouldn't allow Cohen in, she said, so she obtained a search and seizure warrant in Wrentham District Court and then removed him.

On Wednesday, Patricia King, 44, of Mirror Lake Avenue in Norfolk, was charged with one count of cruelty to animals by allegedly failing to seek medical care for Buddy in a timely way, depriving him of food and water, and keeping him in an unsafe environment, Norfolk police said.

Charges against another individual are expected, Cohen said.

"Animals have no choice who their owner is," Cohen said. "And no animal chooses to be put in this type of situation."

After surgery, Buddy was as loving as he was when Cohen and three police officers initially took him from his home on a stretcher.

"He didn't know who we were, but there was no bite, no aggression," she said. "He's such a good boy. It's hard to see an innocent puppy go through this."

Norfolk has seen a number of animal cruelty cases this year, including a dog that was covered in paint this summer and four domestic rabbits abandoned near the grounds of the state prison in town.

This year, the Massachusetts Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell will handle more than 3,000 cases of animal abuse, said spokesman Brian Adams. "That's not all the cases in the state, just the ones that come to us as lead investigator," he said. "There could be thousands more."

A tanking economy can contribute to abuse, Adams said.

"People get frustrated and take it out on a spouse, a child, and their animals," he said. "Unfortunately, people tend to be inventive. We've seen dogs shot, stabbed, and one man went after his with a chain saw."

Punishments have been tightened since animal cruelty became a felony in 2004, he said. Now, conviction can bring a maximum of $2,500 in fines and five years in prison.

A pair of bills pending on Beacon Hill, to make attendance at dog fights a felony and to protect pets through temporary restraining orders in domestic violence cases, would also help, he said.

As of midweek, donations to help Buddy's convalescence had risen to more than $4,000.

Among those who contributed was Josie Rowean, a fifth-grader at Norfolk's Freeman-Centennial School, who prompted her fellow Junior Girl Scouts in Troop 3614 to help Buddy.

"I wanted to give him some of my money because I have $20," she said. "I felt sad, because he was hurt bad. Then my mom had an idea to have the Girl Scouts do it, too."

Rowean and fellow Scouts Camille Beaulieu, daughter of leader Kathy Beaulieu, as well as Haley Morgan, Gabriella Martucci, Rylee Collins, Megan Bechett, and Lindsey Mollor gathered at the town library last week to make collection cans.

They dropped one off at school, as well as at Main Street Hardware, Something Special, Bourque's Restaurant, and Tedeschi's, all in Norfolk. Cans are also located in Walpole at the Village Groomer, and Vet-Med Pet supplies in Franklin. The collections will continue until Friday.

Denise Rowean, Josie's mother, said there is no excuse for hurting an animal.

"It breaks my heart, and it broke Josie's, too," she said.

"I hope Buddy's OK and he has a good home," Josie added. "I'm hoping to adopt him."

So are scores of others, Cohen said. When news first broke of the dog's attack, 150 voice mails were waiting from people offering assistance.

Among others who have offered help are members of King Philip Middle School's PEACE (Pets and the Environment And Community Effort) Club.

"These are kids who want to help support living things," said principal Susan Gilson. "They have devoted one of their next fund-raisers to this."

Cohen's brother raffled off four tickets to a New England Patriots football game, and other raffles in town are planned next week. In the meanwhile, Buddy is recovering in an undisclosed location with a cast on his leg.

Norfolk Police Chief Charles Stone praised Cohen's determination to right a wrong.

"When Hilary finds something like this, she acts," he said. "Some people consider this type of thing a prank. We don't."

Donations for Buddy may be made out to Town of Norfolk, with a notation "Animal gift account/Buddy," and dropped off or mailed to Norfolk Police Department, Animal Control, 117 Main St., Norfolk 02056.