A sick and injured pit bull has started to recover after suffering alleged abuse in Green Bay.
The dog was seized Friday by Green Bay Animal Control after a woman called police saying she saw the pitbull chained outside an auto body repair shop on Dousman Street.
The dog's owner, Marco Rodriguez, was arrested and charged with intentionally mistreating animals, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer.
A woman called police Friday to say she had seen the dog tied up outside the business and was worried it was not going to live, the complaint said.
When officers arrived, they found the pit bull chained up to a sign with a red face and scabs covering its body, according to the criminal complaint.
Rodriguez told police the dog was fine and he was treating its medical problems himself, court documents said.
The dog was also left outside in 90 degree heat with no protection or water, the criminal complaint said. Rodriguez allegedly became uncooperative with police and made a scene during their investigation.
The dog was brought to the Bay Area Humane Society and treated by the head veterinarian, who diagnosed it with mange, a skin disease caused by parasites. The dog also suffered a permanent eye injury.
Bay Area Humane Society staff said animal abuse happens more often than you might think in Northeast Wisconsin.
"If you see something, say something to somebody," said Olivia Webster, Director of Operations for the Bay Area Humane Society. "If you're afraid, call us. We'll contact animal control or the police department or whatever it is. But it's not fair to those animals. They don't have a voice, and it's our responsibility as a community to stick up for those animals and take care of them."
The dog is doing much better after medical treatment, Webster said.
Rodriguez cannot have any contact with dogs as part of his bond conditions.
If you would like to help the humane society treat animals like this in the future, they said they welcome monetary and pet food donations. For more information on the Bay Area Humane Society, visit their website here.
