Austin, post surgeryATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The Atlanta Humane Society is investigating a horrific case of animal cruelty.
Henry County Animal Control officers found a dog with a severely ingrown collar in Locust Grove on Friday. After several hours of surgery, the dog was moved to Atlanta to recover.
"As badly as (the collar) was embedded, it was almost completely grown over by his skin, so it had probably been on there a year, long enough it shouldn't have happened," said Andrea Peacock, Senior Director of Operations for AHS.
The dog, named Austin, is believed to be a 3-year-old Labrador Retriever/Catahoula mix.
Peacock said the pup was in high spirits but faces at least a two-to-three week recovery. "He's got a whole lot of stitches around his neck, and he's battling constant infection possibilities."
Austin is expected to make a full recovery and will be up for adoption once his injuries heal.
A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of whomever abused Austin.
If you'd like to adopt Austin or have information that could help lead to an arrest, call the Atlanta Humane Society at 404-875-5331.
The images of Austin's injuries are graphic. They can be viewed here and here.
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