William Dodson, The Man Who Taped a Dog’s Muzzle in 2015, Will Spend 15 Years Behind Bars

By now, you’ve likely heard about Caitlyn, the dog whose muzzle was taped so tightly that she risked losing her tongue and suffering permanent damage to her nasal passage.  She’s absolutely thriving now, and her abuser was sentenced to five years in prison for what he did to her, to be served concurrently with a 15-year sentence for other crimes.The 15-month-old chocolate pit bull mix was found in June 2015 on the porch of a South Carolina resident who called 911 after seeing what horrible shape she was in.

She was taken to the Charleston Animal Society, who got her immediate medical attention.  The blood flow had been completely cut off from her tongue, making the situation quite delicate.  When the tape was removed, Caitlyn screamed in excruciating pain.“It was 36 hours of torment,” CAS spokesman Alwin Roman told the court.

Caitlyn’s former owner, William Dodson said he taped her snout shut because she wouldn’t stop barking.  He was charged with felony ill treatment of an animal, and was indicted in February 2016.  He will serve 5 years for what he did to Caitlyn, but it will be served concurrently with a 15-year sentence he received for a federal drug and weapon conviction.Dodson made no apologies for what he did, and Judge R. Markley Dennis Jr. told the abuser that he wished the sentence could be longer.Meanwhile, Caitlyn is doing wonderfully in her loving new home.  She has fans all over the world and is an ambassador for animal welfare.

To learn more about this case, please read the following posts:

$1,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest/Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible for Taping a Dog's Muzzle Together with Electrical Tape

William Leonard Dodson Has Been Arrested in the Animal Cruelty Case of Caitlyn the Dog That Was Found with Electrical Tape Tightly Wound Around Her Muzzle

Caitlyn, The Dog Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut is Making a Remarkable Recovery

Caitlyn the Dog Who Suffered Grotesque Injuries After Her Snout Was Taped Shut with Electrical Tape is on the Mend

Caitlyn, The Pit Bull Who Was Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut Will Be in Shirtless Firefighters Calendar

Do You Remember the Story of Caitlyn? The Dog Who Had Her Muzzle Taped Shut: Take a Look at Her Now

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Do You Remember the Story of Caitlyn? The Dog Who Had Her Muzzle Taped Shut: Take a Look at Her Now

Back in May, I shared Caitlyn’s story. Her muzzle was taped so tightly closed that her tongue was nearly cut off.  She recovered splendidly, and is now being spoiled rotten!

A Charleston, South Carolina resident found the tortured dog on their front porch and called police.  She was taken to Charleston Animal Society, who got her immediate medical attention.  The restricted blood flow minimized her sensitivity to pain after a while, but once the binding was removed, feeling came back with superabundance.

“When we pulled the tape off, she kind of opened her mouth and screamed,” said Aldwin Roman of the CAS.

Despite her horrific abuse, Caitlyn thrived.  Today, she’s an ambassador for abuse victims everywhere, and was recently given a “bone” to North Charleston by the mayor.“

Her personality came out immediately after she wasn’t sedated,” said Kay Hymen, Director of Community Engagement at CAS.  Each day we learned more and more about her.  She’s super, super sweet, very loving, extremely intelligent… she’s amazing.”BarkPost recently treated her to the best day ever.

For updates on Caitlyn, or information on adopting her, visit CAS’ Facebook page.

Click on video below:

I have been following Caitlyn story from the beginning. You may be interested in reading the timeline of events concerning her:

$1,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest/Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible for Taping a Dog's Muzzle Together with Electrical Tape

William Leonard Dodson Has Been Arrested in the Animal Cruelty Case of Caitlyn the Dog That Was Found with Electrical Tape Tightly Wound Around Her Muzzle

Caitlyn, The Dog Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut is Making a Remarkable Recovery 

Caitlyn the Dog Who Suffered Grotesque Injuries After Her Snout Was Taped Shut with Electrical Tape is on the Mend

Caitlyn, The Pit Bull Who Was Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut Will Be in Shirtless Firefighters Calendar

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Caitlyn, The Pit Bull Who Was Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut Will Be in Shirtless Firefighters Calendar

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just some shirtless firefighters cavorting on the beach, alongside a formerly abused pit bull?

Caitlyn the pit bull was discovered with her muzzle taped shut in late May, in North Charleston, South Carolina.

She was so badly injured at the time that staff from the Charleston Animal Society, which assumed Caitlyn's care, worried she might not make it.

But after a lot of medical treatment, and a whole lot of love, Caitlyn is doing great. (Her alleged abuser was arrested and charged with animal cruelty in early June.)

She's now recovering in a foster home, where she has a new best doggie friend.

And in her spare time, Caitlyn is starring with area firefighters in a really, really ridiculously good-looking calendar -- the proceeds of which will help other abused, abandoned and neglected animals also get medical care.

"I do have a fun job, don't I?" says Charleston Animal Society's Caroline Eller, who organized the calendar and took some of its especially memorable behind-the-scenes shots.

Eller says that on top of raising much-needed funds -- medical care costs the Charleston Animal Society some $500,000 per year -- she hopes that this calendar encourages folks to adopt their next pet.

"I'm a firm believer that an animal knows they have been rescued," she says. "I hope these images show the true bond between a rescue and their rescuer."

And hey, you don't need to commit arson to get these guys coming to your home.

The Charleston Animal Society has lots and lots of adoptable animals who'd love to be loved by you.

And if you're burning up for the 2016 Charleston Animal Society Firefighters, you can pre-order HERE.

You can read previous stories on Caitlyn here: Caitlyn the Dog Who Suffered Grotesque Injuries After HerSnout Was Taped Shut with Electrical Tape is on the Mend

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Caitlyn the Dog Who Suffered Grotesque Injuries After Her Snout Was Taped Shut with Electrical Tape is on the Mend

A 15-month-old dog named Caitlyn that was found with her snout taped shut so tightly she needed surgery is doing well and does not require additional procedures, animal society officials said.

Charleston Animal Society officials announced Friday that Caitlyn, a stray dog found in North Charleston, South Carolina in May, does not require additional surgery to her mutilated snout.

In a Facebook post on the society's page, an administrator wrote that a veterinarian concluded that the dog's original incisions are healed.

The dog, a Chocolate Staffie Mix, was found on a doorstep with the electrical tape wrapped tightly around her muzzle, Fox Carolina reports.

The person took the dog to the society and Caitlyn, listed in critical condition, underwent surgery to repair her cheek and lips.

Court documents state that when Caitlyn was taken in, her snout was swollen and her tongue was swollen, bruised, discolored and oozing blood, Fox reports.

Officials said Caitlyn's tongue had no blood flow since it became stuck between her teeth due to the tight tape wrapping.

A vet earlier in the week said that the pooch would need additional surgery to treat a wound underneath her chin, but declared on Friday that it would not be necessary.

William Leonard Dodson, 41, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty on June 4 in the case of the abused dog.

  

His bail was set at $50,000 and he was ordered to surrender a second dog he owned at his residence, police told Fox.

Court documents stated that Dodson bought the dog at the end of May for $20 and told the woman he bought it from that he had taped the dog's snout because she wouldn't stop barking.

Dodson, who laughed about the claim, reportedly also told the woman that he chained the dog in his front yard but the pooch broke free and escaped, Fox reports, citing an affidavit. 

According to society officials, the tape may have been wrapped for between 36 and 48 hours.

For more information on the Charleston Animal Society, you can check out their website, and if you are interested in donating to Toby's Fund, click HERE. 

You can read the timeline stories about Caitlyn here:

$1,000 Reward for Information Leading to theArrest/Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible for Taping a Dog's MuzzleTogether with Electrical Tape

William Leonard Dodson Has Been Arrested in the AnimalCruelty Case of Caitlyn the Dog That Was Found with Electrical Tape TightlyWound Around Her Muzzle

Caitlyn, The Dog Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut is Makinga Remarkable Recovery

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Caitlyn, The Dog Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut is Making a Remarkable Recovery

A pit bull named Caitlyn nearly lost her life because of the cruelty of one man, who has since been arrested for tightly taping her snout shut.  Now she is getting tons of love and care, and is healing very well.

A 15-month-old chocolate pit bull mix was found on the porch of a South Carolina resident who called 911 after seeing what horrible shape she was in.

“I have a dog that’s here at my house that I found and the dog’s mouth is taped shut with electrical tape, tongue hanging out its mouth, bleeding, and his tongue is completely black,” a 911 caller said, according to ABC affiliate WCIV. “I just don’t know what to do.”

She was taken to Charleston Animal Society, who got her immediate medical attention.  The blood flow had been completely cut off from her tongue, making the situation quite delicate.

“To leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink, and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue is heartbreaking,” said Aldwin Roman of the CAS.

Her story was posted on their Facebook page, and people began sharing it with the hashtag #Justice4Caitlyn in an effort to find her abuser.  On Monday, North Charleston police arrested William Leonard Dodson on the felony charge of animal torture.  Bail was set at $50,000.

“I don’t think $50,000 really matched the pain and suffering Caitlyn has had to go through,” Roman said after the hearing, according to the Post and Courier. “She is healing, but the damage has been done.”

Another dog was removed from his home, and court records state that Dodson “can not have [possession] of any animals.”

Caitlyn’s previous owner told WCIV that he sold her to a stranger for $10 on Memorial Day because she was tearing up his house and he worried that he might be evicted.

“Don’t let me find you, that’s all I can say,” the man said about his former dog’s abuse. “Because that’s part of my family that you just did some foul things to.”

However, an affidavit released during Dodson’s bond hearing, “paints a slightly different picture of what happened to Caitlyn, who had previously been named Diamond.”

Dodson is reported to have bought the dog for $20, but returned the next night to tell her former owner that he had taped her mouth shut because she wouldn’t stop barking.  The anonymous prior owner said the man laughed when he told him that.

The affidavit stated that the owner “had known Dodson for a least a year and said he is ‘like a brother.’”

Dodson faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000 because he caused “excessive and unnecessary pain and suffering.”

Caitlyn, meanwhile, is recovering better than caregivers might have expected.  She is being treated at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant.

“This was intentional, someone was trying to hurt her,” said Dr. Kelli Kline. “They did it — they did what they went out to do. I am very, very surprised that she’s healing at this rate.”

She will be receiving cold laser therapy to encourage healing in her tongue, and just today she underwent surgery to have her lips and cheek fixed.  She is reportedly doing well, and will be eating and drinking on her own soon.

If you would like to donate toward Caitlyn’s care, please click HERE.  To follow her progress, click HERE.

To read the previous stories on Caitlyn, click here: William Leonard Dodson Has Been Arrested in the Animal Cruelty Case of Caitlyn the Dog That Was Found with Electrical Tape Tightly Wound Around Her Muzzle

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William Leonard Dodson Has Been Arrested in the Animal Cruelty Case of Caitlyn the Dog That Was Found with Electrical Tape Tightly Wound Around Her Muzzle

Charleston, South Carolina - North Charleston Police have made an arrest in the animal cruelty case that has been spread worldwide.

William Leonard Dodson, 41, is being charged with ill treatment of animals and torture. He was found in the area of Quitman Street and Calvert Street. A judge ordered a $50,000 bond against Dodson on Tuesday morning. At the hearing, the judge asked Dodson if he had any other dogs at home and he said that he did. The judge ordered police to head to his home and take the dog away.

News 2 spoke with Animal Cruelty Investigator Aldwin Roman who said $50,000 doesn't do justice to Caitlyn and what she's been through.

News 2 obtained a copy of Dodson's arrest record. In 2013, Dodson was arrested for driving without a license and was put on probation for six years for possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon. In 2014, Dodson was arrested for driving under suspension, driving without a license and for failure to appear in traffic court. In 2015, the suspect was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine and the unlawful carrying of a weapon.

Caitlyn the dog was found in critical condition last week on a Good Samaritan's doorstep with electrical tape tightly wound around her muzzle.

The tape was so tight around Caitlyn's muzzle that her tongue was caught between her teeth, stopping blood flow to her tongue. Officials think that the tape was on Caitlyn for up to 36-48 hours.

The Charleston Animal Society Senior Director of Veterinary Care, Dr. Lucy Fuller, DVM, said "Caitlyn is in a lot of pain, her condition is critical, and her prognosis is guarded." She also said that "A large part of her tongue may need to be removed surgically if the tissue dies from the lack of blood flow. She may be severely disfigured, or the large amount of dead tissue may cause life-threatening complications."

The story of Caitlyn, the North Charleston dog who had her muzzle taped shut, is now worldwide.

We talked with one man at the Chinese Deli in the Chicora-Cherokee community. That is where the dog was discovered earlier this week. "You gotta think, what kind of cruel person is gonna take their time to that to a dog?"

"It's many things that's not good that comes through my mind when I hear it...it's cruel. It's degrading. Wrong. Life threatening. Sick. It's like, the mere thought of it is, I mean, why?? That's one question that comes through my mind when I look at it, is why?"

Kelli Klein, the director of emergency care at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant says Caitlyn is doing better. "She's been doing really, really well since transferring to us last night."

Caitlyn was placed in a hyperbaric chamber Friday to give her more oxygen, to help her wounds heal faster. "She's had three full meals. She's been able to (take in food) and swallow it."

She is scheduled for her first surgery either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Treatment for Caitlyn will be paid for by Toby's Fund, Charleston Animal Society's medical fund that is only made possible by donations from the community.

"This is the most malicious case of animal abuse I have ever seen in my entire career," said Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty & Outreach Aldwin Roman. He continued, "to leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue is heartbreaking."

North Charleston Animal Control is investigating the case and looking for whoever is responsible. Charleston Animal Society is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, and Friday the Humane Society of the United States added another $5,000.  If convicted of ill treatment of an animal, the guilty could face up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

You can read the initial story here: $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest/Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible forTaping a Dog's Muzzle Together with Electrical Tape

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Prospects Improve For Pit Bull Whose Mouth Was Taped Shut

Caitlin is a 15-month-old pit bull found in North Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday morning with her mouth taped shut.

The tape, which may have been there for as long as two days before Caitlin was discovered, was so tight that it cut off circulation to the dog's tongue. It wasn't clear at first whether she would live.

Dr. Lucy Fuller, veterinarian for the Charleston Animal Society, which assumed Caitlin's care, said in a statement on Thursday that the dog's condition was "critical, and her prognosis is guarded."

On Friday, Caitlin's prospects seemed better, Charleston Animal Society spokeswoman Kay Hyman told The Huffington Post.

"She is still really swollen, but she's walking. ... She was eating small portions of food," Hyman said. "Today, I feel much more at ease."

To read more on this story, click here: Prospects Improve For Pit Bull Whose Mouth Was Taped Shut

You can read the initial story here: $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest/Convictionof the Person(s) Responsible for Taping a Dog's Muzzle Together with ElectricalTape

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$1,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest/Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible for Taping a Dog's Muzzle Together with Electrical Tape

Charleston, South Carolina - The Charleston Animal Society needs help finding the person who taped a dog's muzzle taped shut. The dog, Caitlyn, is now in critical condition after it was found on a Good Samaritan's doorstep with electrical tape tightly wound around her muzzle.

The tape was so tight around Caitlyn's muzzle that her tongue was caught between her teeth, stopping blood flow to her tongue. Officials think that the tape was on Caitlyn for up to 36-48 hours.

The Charleston Animal Society Senior Director of Veterinary Care, Dr. Lucy Fuller, DVM, said "Caitlyn is in a lot of pain, her condition is critical, and her prognosis is guarded." She also said that "A large part of her tongue may need to be removed surgically if the tissue dies from the lack of blood flow. She may be severely disfigured, or the large amount of dead tissue may cause life-threatening complications."

Treatment for Caitlyn will be paid for by Toby's Fund, Charleston Animal Society's medical fund that is only made possible by donations from the community.

"This is the most malicious case of animal abuse I have ever seen in my entire career," said Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty & Outreach Aldwin Roman. He continued, "to leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue is heartbreaking."

North Charleston Animal Control is investigating the case and looking for whoever is responsible. Charleston Animal Society is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. If convicted of ill treatment of an animal, the guilty could face up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

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Mt. Pleasant, SC - A Charlston, Doctor Who Left 9 Dogs in a Car, Has Been Charged with Animal Cruelty - His Bond Has Been Set at $90,000

A Charleston doctor has been charged with animal cruelty after police said he was found with nine dead dogs.

His bond was set at $90,000, but Bickerstaff bonded out sometime Wednesday evening.

According to a Mt. Pleasant police report, officers were called to the Mt. Pleasant Emergency Hospital for a report of animal cruelty.

Staff members told police that a man had come in with six dead Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, crated in the back of his Ford Explorer. Staff members told police the man said he thought the dogs had passed out.

“This is a medical doctor. This is not acceptable,” said the woman who called 911 from Mount Pleasant Emergency Vet. “He had asked, ‘So, leaving the windows open is not adequate?' No. Not when they're in kennels and they have full coats, and you have them two by two in each kennel.”

According to the report, staff members saw that the dogs were deceased and rigor mortis had set in. They also told officers that the dogs showed signs of disseminated intravascular coogulosathy (DIC).

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, DIC is a "condition in which blood clots form throughout the body's small blood vessels" that can block blood flow to organs.

Police were given a description of the man and were told that he claimed to be a doctor at East Cooper Hospital. Investigators identified the suspect as 64-year-old Charles Allen Bickerstaff.

The 911 caller at Mount Pleasant Emergency Vet said Bickerstaff told her he had to stop by the hospital to check on a patient.

According to an affidavit, investigators met with him on Monday and he confessed to putting his 8- or 9-year-old spaniel, Butler, along with eight other dogs into five crates in the back of his SUV.

Court documents identified the other dogs as Money, Lucinda, Drayton, Madeline, Shelby, Katie, Freddie, and Willis. Their ages ranged from 5 months to 9 years, documents show.

Bickerstaff told police he left the dogs in the vehicle while he performed his duties at East Cooper Hospital. The affidavit notes that temperatures that day ranged from 73.4 degrees to 82.4 degrees with a heat index of 90.9 degrees.

The affidavit also states the air conditioner was not on and the windows of the Explorer were not open. Another release from police notes that the dogs did not have food or water and that they were caged for over three hours.

Bickerstaff was charged Wednesday with nine counts of ill treatment to animals.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, Dr. Charles Bickerstaff is a gastroenterologist and is affiliated with several hospitals including Bon Secours St. Francis Xavier Hospital and East Cooper Medical Center.

The Charleston Animal Society released a statement Wednesday afternoon, highlighting the dangers of leaving pets in cars for any amount of time.

“The temperature inside of a car during spring and summer and early fall in South Carolina will rise so much, that for a dog, seconds can cost them their life,” said Dr. Sarah Boyd, director of shelter health and wellness at the Charleston Animal Society.

Boyd says it's a deadly misconception that dogs can handle heat. In fact, some are more sensitive than others.

“It doesn't take very long, minutes, for their internal temperature to rise enough that they don't just begin to pant but, their body will start having organ failure and their brain reaches such a high temperature that they will have a heat stroke,” said Dr. Boyd.

Dr. Boyd says the lesson in this tragedy is simple: if you decide to allow your pet to travel with you, they must be with you at all times.

“Even if you think you can just run in and run out, it happens and it could be you and it could be your dog,” Boyd said.


WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

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A Medical Doctor Leaves 9 Dogs In Hot Car, All Die While He Makes Rounds At Hospital

A doctor in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina left nine dogs in a hot car while he made rounds at the hospital on Monday. The 64-year-old is charged with animal cruelty and is set on $90,000 bond.

Dr. Charles Allen Bickerstaff was making rounds at one of the hospitals he works for when his dogs died. All nine were crammed into five crates altogether in the back of Bickerstaff’s Ford Explorer. When he returned to his SUV, he noticed the dogs were unresponsive so he took them to Mt. Pleasant Emergency Hospital.

A staff member at the vet’s office called 911 after she saw the animals.

She said:

“This is a medical doctor. This is not acceptable. He had asked, ‘So, leaving the windows open is not adequate?’ No. Not when they’re in kennels and they have full coats, and you have them two by two in each kennel.”

The nine dogs left in the hot vehicle were Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. According to court documents, the dogs are identified as Money, Lucinda, Drayton, Madeline, Shelby, Katie, Freddie, and Willis. Their ages ranged from 5 months to 9 years, the document reveals. The doctor left the dogs inside the vehicle for three hours.

Police used records from the vet’s office to get information on Dr. Bickeroff. He’s a gastroenterologist and is a physician for several hospitals that include Bon Secours St. Francis Xavier Hospital and East Cooper Medical Center, according to ABC 4 Charleston. The allegedly negligent doctor was questioned by police Monday night and arrested on Wednesday.

When Dr. Sarah Boyd, director of shelter health and wellness at Charleston Animal Society, learned of the animals’ terrible fate, she explained how hard it is for dogs to be inside hot cars.

Dr. Boyd said:

“The temperature inside of a car during spring and summer and early fall in South Carolina will rise so much, that for a dog, seconds can cost them their life.”

News 2 mentions that the affidavit says during the time Dr. Bickeroff was at the hospital, the temperatures outside went from 73 degrees to 82 degrees; the heat index was around 91 degrees.

Another tragedy of multiple dogs in a hot car occurred when four pit bulls were left in the back of a man’s car in Sacramento. As reported on The Inquisitr, all four dogs died from heat exposure. One pit bull was rescued alive, but died the next day due to severe injuries to her internal organs.

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