Police are appealing to the public for help after a heartbreaking case of animal cruelty in Botetourt County, Virginia.
A severely abused dog was found after it had been left to die in a ditch earlier this week. Local animal rescue organizations and veterinarians came together to help the dog, named Mr. Buttons, and he received critical care, but he sadly died last night.
“Investigators are only sharing pictures of his face because the rest of his body shows horrific signs of neglect and abuse,” Deputy Jake Gossett, leading the investigation, said on Facebook. Police are offering a reward for information that helps them catch the person responsible.
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A picture of Mr. Buttons shortly after he was found by authorities. Police are appealing to the public for help in their investigation.
Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office
Mr. Buttons was taken in by Angels of Assisi, which told Newsweek: “After an all out effort to save him, his heart gave out last night. Our vet even pulled blood off of her own personal dog to give him his first transfusion.”
When he was found, Mr. Buttons’ blood sugar levels had plummeted and his body temperature was too low to register. Lab tests revealed severe anemia, prompting a first life-saving blood transfusion.
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In 2023, 6.5 million animals entered U.S. shelters, according to Shelter Animals Count, up 4 percent when compared to 2022 intakes. At the end of 2023, 117,000 additional dogs and cats were in the animal sheltering system compared to the same time the year before.
Of 2023 shelter intakes, 48 percent were strays, 18 percent were transfers from other shelters, 25 percent were relinquished by owners and 9 percent fell into an “other” category. As shelters across the country continue to struggle with large numbers of intakes and overcrowding, cases of animal abandonment like this have been seen more often.
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After receiving an initial blood transfusion, Mr. Buttons was transferred to Emergency Veterinary & Specialty Services of Roanoke, where professionals did everything they could, but sadly it was not enough.
The community response has been overwhelming, and many have rallied around to express their anger at what happened to Mr. Buttons.
“That poor innocent baby. I hope they find who is responsible. So sad,” Cindy said.
While another Facebook user Debi wrote: “So sad! I hope they find who harmed this precious dog!”
Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with any information to come forward, offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for leaving the dog in the ditch.
On Facebook, the Sheriff’s Office wrote a message from the perspective of the dog and said: “The Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of my abuser.”
Tipsters can remain anonymous and are encouraged to contact Deputy Gossett at 540-473-8631.