Emaciated, Injured Pit Bull Mix Found at State Farm Office Building

An emaciated pit bull mix with both ears hacked off and encrusted with blood was found Thursday by workers outside a State Farm Office on Gulfport Boulevard and 53rd Street.

Investigators with the SPCA Tampa Bay are seeking information from the public that may lead to information on who was responsible for injuring and mistreating the female dog.

The SPCA is treating the dog's medical problems, including any infection from the ear-cropping, and will work to rehabilitate her.

A $500 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible. The grant for the reward is made possible by the ASPCA.

People who use pit bulls for illegal dog fights may chop off the ears so that opposing dogs will not have anything to bite and hang on to in dog fights. Sometimes the animal's ears are cropped because the owner wants the dog to appear tougher.

The SPCA advises pet owners to seek a professional to do ear-cropping and not to try it at home. The process is painful for the animal and can lead to life-threatening infections.