Shocking Photos Reveal Cruel Treatment of 3 Puppies in DC, Authorities Claim

D.C. police have reportedly arrested a woman and charged her with three counts of cruelty to animals after finding three pit bull puppies with severe health problems.

Brenda Bullock was arrested May 11 by the Metropolitan Police Department after an investigation by the Washington Humane Society led to the recovery of three four-month old pit bull puppies on April 13 in Washington, D.C., according to a Washington Human Society statement posted to their Facebook page. The statement didn't identify a location, but said that police in the 5th District made the arrest, which would place it in Northeast.

All three puppies were suffering from severe mange, and one of them was "emaciated and weak," the WHS said.

"Chase, along with siblings Haagen Dazs and Klondike, was taken to Dogs And Cats Veterinary Referral & ER (DCVR) for treatment and to document their conditions," the May 11 statement reads. "The attending veterinarians at DCVR determined that all three dogs were suffering from chronic medical conditions that would have had to have gone months untreated to reach the level of severity that they observed upon admission."

Chase, who had the worst problems, had to stay at DCVR for emergency care, while the other two were taken to an adoption facility on New York Avenue. Chase was so weak that he was unable to walk under his own power even after more than a week at the hospital, and it appeared unlikely he would survive due to infections. He has recovered enough to be moved into a medical foster home, however.

"By the age of four months, Chase and his two siblings had experienced more suffering than any living being should be subjected to in a lifetime," Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO of WHS, said in the statement. "Cruelty to animals in any form can never be tolerated and the people of our community should know that we will relentlessly pursue those that commit these crimes."

The good news is that Haagan Dazs has since been adopted. Facebook user Mike Bilodeau claimed to be the person who adopted him, and posted a photo of him relaxing in response to the WHS post.

"My girlfriend and I adopted Haagen-Daaz (we renamed him Quincy), this past weekend," he wrote. "He is truly one of the sweetest creatures I've ever met, and anyone that could neglect and treat an animal such as him so cruelly is a disgusting human being who does not deserve their freedom. My only disappointment in adopting him is that I could not bring his brother with me, as I'm sure his disposition is equally gentle."

Chase continues to improve, although the WHS is asking the public to donate money to cover the cost of care. More than $9,000 has been spent to date on the three puppies' medical treatment.

Facebook users were shocked at the photos posted by WHS.

"I don't even know what to say. It boggles my mind," wrote Anne Thiel. "I am so glad they were found (how?) in time. And I am just so sorry they suffered so much. I hope life makes it up to them!!"

Additional photos of the puppies are below, via the Washington Humane Society: