BAKERSFIELD, CA- Three dogs were left for dead near Ridgecrest. Kern County Animal Control found the dogs in the desert last week, in a crate only meant for one animal, with what they first thought were gunshot wounds.
One of the dogs didn't survive. The other two, Chancy and Shadow, are being treated at San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital, where they've determined the injuries weren't as cruel as originally suspected.
Marley's Mutts founder Zach Skow got involved and brought the dogs to the hospital.
"They were the most scared, timid, potentially dangerous, because dogs strike when they're fearful, dogs that I'd seen in a really long time," said Zach Skow with Marley's Mutts.
They determined what were originally thought to be injuries from gunshots were actually puncture wounds, possibly from other animals.
"The fact that they were not shot is a sigh of relief for a few reasons. One, it means that nobody shot them, so we can have a little bit more faith in humanity and two we don't have to do any surgery," said Skow.
After getting treatment, Skow says they're completely different dogs.
"This doesn't even look like the same dog. His facial muscles, everything was tense, everything was looking at me sideways like I'm about to bite you if you come any closer. You have to just be confident," said Skow.
He used pack leadership techniques to give them structure and calm their nerves.
turning this horrific story, into another success.
"To actually see them totally different and know that they are adoptable," said Skow, "They are adoptable, maybe not right now, but they will be. They have all the tools for the normal life ahead. So, it was very fulfilling."
Skow says there is a criminal investigation into this case.
Anyone who recognizes the dogs or has any information is asked to contact Kern County Animal Control or Ridgecrest police.
One of the dogs didn't survive. The other two, Chancy and Shadow, are being treated at San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital, where they've determined the injuries weren't as cruel as originally suspected.
Marley's Mutts founder Zach Skow got involved and brought the dogs to the hospital.
"They were the most scared, timid, potentially dangerous, because dogs strike when they're fearful, dogs that I'd seen in a really long time," said Zach Skow with Marley's Mutts.
They determined what were originally thought to be injuries from gunshots were actually puncture wounds, possibly from other animals.
"The fact that they were not shot is a sigh of relief for a few reasons. One, it means that nobody shot them, so we can have a little bit more faith in humanity and two we don't have to do any surgery," said Skow.
After getting treatment, Skow says they're completely different dogs.
"This doesn't even look like the same dog. His facial muscles, everything was tense, everything was looking at me sideways like I'm about to bite you if you come any closer. You have to just be confident," said Skow.
He used pack leadership techniques to give them structure and calm their nerves.
turning this horrific story, into another success.
"To actually see them totally different and know that they are adoptable," said Skow, "They are adoptable, maybe not right now, but they will be. They have all the tools for the normal life ahead. So, it was very fulfilling."
Skow says there is a criminal investigation into this case.
Anyone who recognizes the dogs or has any information is asked to contact Kern County Animal Control or Ridgecrest police.