MONROE COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Hope, the mixed breed dog that was nearly decapitated, has died from breathing complications.
CBS Atlanta first brought you the story about Hope last week, after 19-year-old Monterion Dionte Davis was arrested for allegedly tying Hope to a tree out in the woods in Forsyth with an electrical cord. That electrical cord nearly decapitated Hope.
Hope was discovered by Shane Smith, who was at the pound when Hope walked up to him and he noticed that her neck and trachea were severed.
Smith, part of an animal rescue group called Save-A-Pet, rushed Hope to the Caldwell Veterinary Clinic, where she underwent emergency surgery.
Dr. Butler Caldwell, a veterinarian at the clinic, said it was amazing that Hope had survived as long as she had without medical treatment.
"Most of the musculature was severed, the trachea was severed," he said. "Fortunately, the major arteries were not severed or the esophagus."
Monroe County Sheriff John Cary Bittick said that this was the worst case of animal abuse he'd seen in his 29 years as sheriff.
"Cruelty to animals is a crime I do not take lightly and all such cases will be investigated and perpetrators will be charged," he said.
Sheriff Bittick told CBS Atlanta that Davis confessed to tying up Hope to the tree, and that he had left her there to die.
Davis made his first appearance Friday morning and has a $15,000 bond. He cannot be see with animals, according to Judge Davis, with Monroe County Magistrate Court.
Despite the fact that Hope died from her injuries, the charges against Davis have not changed - he faces one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
According to Sheriff Bittick, Davis has not bonded out of jail.
If you'd like to "like" the facebook page dedicated to Hope, you can click here.
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