Happy Ending Likely for Abused Oakland Puppies; Suspect Still at Large

A happy ending is likely in store for the three mutilated puppies found in an Oakland garbage pile over Memorial Day Weekend, though their abuser hasn't yet been found.

Puppies Freya and Chloe are recovering like champs from jaw surgery and are able to eat, and the third, Frigg, is healing from having her paw chopped off, said Rebecca Katz, executive director of Oakland Animal Services.

Also, "There is a lot of interest in adoption" for Freya and Chloe, and someone has already stepped up to adopt Frigg, Katz said. Frigg is living with the person who intends to adopt her, the executive director said.

Freya and Frigg, four-month-old sisters, were found in a garbage pile at 89th Avenue and G Street May 26. Freya's jaw was so badly broken, "you could see the bone," said Pali Boucher of Rocket Dog Rescue, who worked with Animal Services to rescue all three puppies.

Frigg, too, was mutilated, with a rear paw chopped off. On Monday, a third German Shepherd puppy, Chloe, was found in the same area with a broken jaw.

VCA Bay Area Veterinary Specialists of San Leandro operated on Chloe and Beacon Veterinary Specialists in Fremont operated on Freya, Katz said.

"Their jaws could not be repaired, but the veterinarians at both places told us (the puppies) have a very good prognosis. Even with a broken jawbone, they are eating," Katz said.

"It's a happy ending for all three dogs, but it will be a happier ending if we can bring the person responsible to justice," Katz said.

As the puppies recover, law enforcement and the district attorney are looking for the person responsible for their condition.

Speaking at a news conference at the Oakland Animal Shelter Friday, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said, "We will work with the Oakland Police Department to figure out who hurt these puppies and bring them to justice."

O'Malley said she's concerned because many people who abuse animals also commit violent crimes against humans.

O'Malley said, "Our fear is that whoever is hurting these dogs is also hurting people."

Joining O'Malley at the Friday news conference, Oakland police spokeswoman Johnna Watson said, "Our concern is that if they are doing this to puppies are they also doing this to human beings?"

Watson said the mutilation of the three puppies is one of the worst cases of animal abuse she's seen in her 26 years with the Oakland Police Department.

"We haven't seen this to this level," she said.

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