Ozzie, the sweetest dog on the planet who has endured so much abuse and neglect suffered yet another set back. Ozzie had a blockage in his intestine, had surgery on a Monday and actually had to have part of his intestine removed. He made it through the surgery and on Tuesday was sitting up and walking, but still would not eat or drink. Wednesday he took a turn for the worse and we lost him that afternoon.
The surgeon’s at MU did not think there was a good prognosis for yet another surgery. Ozzie’s immune system was simply too compromised to fight off the infection that had set in after the first surgery. Ozzie is now in doggie heaven, pain free and cone free. Ozzie was surrounded by his loving foster parents when he took his last breath.
This was the last photo taken of Ozzie at the University. He was too weak to walk so they brought him out in this red wagon. We will not stop fighting to bring justice for Ozzie and will follow through with his court case until the bitter end. Yesterday was a very tough day and heartbreaking to say the least. I’m just sorry we could not do more for him. RIP sweet Ozzie.
Original Story:
Our boy Ozzie is a 10 year old Labrador Retriever. On September 30, 2016, Ozzie was removed by Centralia authorities from his owner’s property and she was charged with animal abuse and neglect.
Ozzie was found with open wounds in addition to being underweight. He was taken to the Centralia Vet Clinic where they found not only a neglected wound from a ruptured abscess on his face, but also a ruptured and infected anus, and pseudomonas in both ears. Ozzie’s face and inner ears were basically rotting away as his owner looked on.
Ozzie has gone through multiple surgeries to remove dead and dying tissue from his face and anus. He has fought blood infection and has a compromised immune system due to years of neglect and lack of veterinary care. A statement made by his abuser from the police report reads “I could not stand to look at him so I stopped looking.” Ozzie was kept outside, alone, and was suffering in agony.
Ozzie is taking multiple medications, needs yet another surgery on his face, and is on a prescription food for allergies available only through the vet’s office. Through all of this, our boy remains sweet and in good spirits, loving his foster home and foster sister Winnie, but he is still recovering. He has been in a cone since we rescued him and continues to visit the vet frequently. We discovered Ozzie also has food allergies, most likely due to his immune system fighting so hard to recover. His vet bills continue to grow and his prescription food costs $95 a bag. But we won’t give up on Ozzie, because he never did.
After numerous court dates in an effort to seek Justice for Ozzie and ask for the maximum sentencing under the low, a guilty plea was entered and the sentencing is; restitution to the City of Centralia for $350 to cover the initial vet bills, 40 hours of community service and a court order banning the owner from acquiring any more pets as long as she lives in the City of Centralia.
While it doesn’t seem like much considering what Ozzie endured—it is something. Many of those who neglect and abuse animals like Ozzie are never charged with a crime and never suffer any consequences. We are grateful that this may prevent this from happening to any other animal at the hands of Ozzie’s former owner. We are also very appreciative for the diligence of the prosecutor in his case.
Ozzie’s story has been shared via our social media pages, but here is his story in one place. We will continue to post updates. Please share Ozzie’s story and donate toward his vet bill and continued care as we try to find this good-natured, senior lab the loving home he deserves.
Thank you to all who have generously donated so far! Click the DONATE button on our website to contribute to Ozzie’s recovery.
4/2/17 – Love capturing these moments when Ozzie is peaceful asleep! He is such a sweet baby. Just follows me around, sleeps next to me every night and wants to be with his humans! He is the best dog!
03/24/17 – Ozzie has been in this cone since October.
3/24/17 – Ozzie’s immune system is so compromised that the slightest little scratch turns into this.
03/24/17 – Gauze sutured to Ozzie’s face – another attempt to close the gapping wound.
03/5/17 – Ozzie fell asleep with a toy tucked in with him last night. Such a sweet boy. We just love him. That is his new soft cone he gets to wear when we are home. His face is doing much better and we hope he will be cone free again real soon! He is one tough cookie that doesn’t seem to let any of his ailments affect him.
02/23/16 – Ozzie is taking multiple medications, needs yet another surgery on his face and is on a prescription food for allergies available only through the vets office. Through all of this, Ozzie remains sweet and in good spirits and is a very well behaved boy. Ozzie’s court case goes before the judge again next week and we will continue to seek justice for Ozzie. In the meantime, his vet bills are soaring and his food alone costs are breaking the bank at $95 a bag. We could use some help to support Ozzie’s continued care.
1/23/17 – Update on Ozzie’s Court Case Ozzie’s court case has been continued until February 27, 2017.
1/15/17 – Ozzie enjoying a lazy Sunday lounging in front of the fire place! He has his cone back, but we hope his face will heal up again shortly. It doesn’t even seem to phase him though.
12/23/16 – Thank you to everyone who has supported this boy through his long road to recovery and bought him so many special gifts to enjoy this Holiday season, the first season he will spend inside, in a home. Oz looks fantastic! He is a playful, friendly, loving boy and will soon be available for adoption!
12/23/16 – Our sweet boy made his first public appearance last night at our Santa Paws party at Lizzi & Rocco’s Natural Pet Market. Oz received lots of special gifts from Santa Paws and the Sponsorship program. Thank you to everyone who has supported this boy through his long road to recovery and bought him so many special gifts to enjoy this Holiday season, the first season he will spend inside, in a home. Oz looks fantastic! He is a playful, friendly, loving boy and will soon be available for adoption!
12/6/16 – Ozzie got to go to the park today for the first time since his face has heeled. Looks like he is having a blast! Got a good shot of his face, you can barley even tell he was injured. So happy he is heeling and doing well.
11/28/16 – Today was Ozzie’s court date. His abuser was there, she stood before the judge and it was recommended she get an attorney and she was not allowed to speak. Another hearing was set for January 23, 2017, and we will be there again to ask for Justice for Ozzie. In the meantime, Ozzie is in good spirits and is healing, slowly but surely. He is the sweetest boy ever.
11/21/16 – We have received so much support for this sweet boy! Ozzie is Thankful to have a warm bed, vet care that he desperately needed, a wonderful foster family that is taking such great care of him and so many people that love him. Ozzie’s bandage and sutures were removed. He still has quite a bit of healing to do but he is much more comfortable. Ozzie’s former owner is being charged with abuse and neglect and the court date is November 28. We want Justice for Ozzie!
11/15/16 – This boy is having a tough time of it. Ozzie has had multiple procedures to help heal his face and his anus from horrible open wounds. These wounds were caused from months of neglect. Ozzie was removed from his owner’s property and the owner is being charged with abuse and neglect. In the mean time, we are providing for Ozzie. He now has to go to the vet every single day to have his face bandage changed. Ozzie has quite an elaborate bandage sutured to his face and the poor boy has had to wear a cone for weeks. Ozzie is a good sport and a happy friendly boy through it all, which earned him a cheeseburger today!
10/15/16 – Update on Ozzie from his foster Mom: Ozzy is enjoying his first night in our home exploring and watching me cook a roast in the kitchen. He seems super happy given his recent surgeries and circumstances! Already can tell he is a wonderful dog and he and my dog Winnie are already getting along great!
10/12/16 – Ozzie is a survivor. He survived years of neglect from his owner. Ozzie was thankfully confiscated by the police and the owner has been charged. Ozzie was very underweight, suffered from a huge abscess on his face, severely infected ears, and ruptured anal glands. This boy was suffering. Thanks to local police, caring, compassionate community members and an outstanding vet clinic, Ozzie had the surgery he needed, is recovering, and was released today! Ozzie had a nice warm bath and enjoyed a chew at Lizzi & Rocco’s Natural Pet Market Ozzie will be off to a foster home where he will continue to heal and be pampered and will be available for adoption soon!
9/30/16 – After his first surgery.
He also has a ruptured and infected anus. First, I’m asking people to pray for Ozzie. His enemy now is blood infection. Ozzie is also suffering from a raging case of pseudomonas in both ears. Ozzie’s face and inner ears are basically rotting away.
CENTRALIA ####. This is “OZZIE”…… a victim if horrible neglect and abuse. Ozzie is a 10-year-old Yellow Lab that was removed from the owner’s property today by the Centralia Police Department for abuse/ neglect.
This was the last photo taken of Ozzie at the University. He was too weak to walk so they brought him out in this red wagon. We will not stop fighting to bring justice for Ozzie and will follow through with his court case until the bitter end. Yesterday was a very tough day and heartbreaking to say the least. I’m just sorry we could not do more for him. RIP sweet Ozzie.
