Florida: Deandre Goodson, 21, charged with animal cruelty after his scar-covered skeletal pit bull ate her own puppies because she was starving

FLORIDA -- A starving dog who was left tied up with heavy chains was so hungry she ate her own puppies.

Hernando County Sheriff's Office was called to an address in Leonard Street, Brooksville, to reports of a man being bitten by a pit bull.

Animal enforcement officers arrived to find three dogs who were tied up, without water and badly malnourished and arrested their owner, Deandre Goodson, 21, who is facing animal cruelty charges in Florida.

One of the dogs, named Chi Chi, was found in distress at the side of the house covered in scars and with her ears mutilated.

She had eaten her own puppies and was so weak she was unable to walk.

Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement:

The dog's loose collar proves that Goodson is lying and saying she
showed up in this condition. She lost weight while on this chain.

"Authorities were able to contact Goodson by phone who agreed to meet deputies at the Hernando County Animal Services offices in Brooksville.

"Goodson said a friend, Breon Wyatt, had given him the dog about a year ago. He indicated the dog got out of the yard a couple of months ago and he had 'only recently found' Chi Chi and brought her back home.

"Goodson confirmed Chi Chi gave birth to two puppies about two week ago, but she had eaten them.  Goodson said he feeds Chi Chi regularly and wasn’t sure why the dog was so skinny.

"He also stated the dog’s injuries were the result of the other two dogs attacking her."

Goodson told officers he decided not to seek medical attention for his pet, and Chi Chi was transported to Animal Services for immediate treatment.

After she was examined, the veterinarian said she had numerous injuries and was suffering from neglect.

Goodson was charged with one count of animal cruelty.

He was taken to the Hernando County Detention Facility where his bond was set at $5,000.

(Daily Mail - Dec 29, 2016)