Authorities in Lee County are intensifying efforts to combat animal abuse. In observance of National Dog Fighting Awareness Day, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers and Gulf Coast Humane Society held a press conference today.
Representatives from both agencies spoke about their new educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness and preventing animal cruelty.
Hope has been with the Lee County Sheriff's Office for three years. She was tethered, and a chain was strapped to her collar and then eventually to her leg, which had to be amputated. Now, she's the face of the animal cruelty task force for Lee County.
Hope is just one of the many heartbreaking animal abuse cases we've seen in recent years in Lee County. She's not the only dog to arrive at the Gulf Coast Humane Society in poor condition. Just three weeks ago, a dog named Donta was brought to the shelter severely emaciated.
"It's really sad. I mean, obviously, we're in it to have the animals thrive. So, when we get those situations in, it takes a toll on all of us here," said the operations manager with Gulf Coast Humane Society, Kristin Sampson.
Gulf Coast Humane Society partnered with the sheriff's office and crime stoppers, putting posters on three bus shelters and four Leetran buses.
Since the launch last year, there has been a steady uptick in anonymous tips. This year the Lee County Sheriff's Office animal cruelty task force has received 2,500 calls.
Now, they are adding four new billboards throughout the community.
"We would rather have law enforcement go out and investigate it. If it turns out to be nothing, no harm, no foul. But if there is something truly happening, we want to make sure that a dog is rescued from that situation and taken care of and being put into a home, a loving home where they're going to be taken care of and be," said Trish Routte with crime stoppers.
Dogs like Hope and Donta are some of the lucky ones. They are part of the initiative to end animal cruelty.
"It's really great to see when they come in such bad condition and just thrive in their come into their personality. So it's not unique for us to see the success stories because they're so resilient," said Sampson.