Severely Mutilated Detroit Dog Baron Chooses A Family

DETROIT, MI — Until a month and a half ago, it hurt to be — and, frankly, to see — Baron. The Rottweiler mix was found wandering the streets of Detroit on Jan. 17. His nose and ears had been severed, and his tail and back legs had been lacerated in what veteran Michigan Humane Society cruelty investigators say is one of the worst cases of animal abuse they’ve ever seen.

Now, Baron is settling into a happy life, according to a video on the Humane Society’s Facebook page. He’s been adopted by a man and woman who want to remain anonymous. The couple said in the video that they were moved to adopt Baron after seeing news accounts of his ordeal and can’t understand how anyone could inflict such harm on a defenseless animal.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in his recovery for their time and dedication,” the organization wrote in the post announcing Baron’s happy ending. “To everyone that called, emailed, donated or shared his story, you have our gratitude. It’s because of your support that rescues like Baron’s are possible. Please join us in wishing Baron and his new family all the best.”

Warning: Video contains graphic images of an injured dog.

As word of what happened to Baron spread, reward fund donations poured in to the Michigan Humane Society. The reward fund for the people responsible — lead investigator Mark Ramos has said he thinks multiple people were involved — now stands at $40,000.

Baron underwent reconstructive surgery last month. The procedure had some cosmetic value, but the primary reason behind it was to make Baron more comfortable.

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Shane Fits, of Lincoln Park, found the dog walking near his workplace in the area of Epworth Street and Warren Avenue in Detroit on Jan. 17. The dog willingly jumped into Fit’s car and remained close during the drive to the Humane Society’s Mackey Center for Animal Care in Detroit.

The couple who adopted Baron said on the video that Baron is still reaching out.

“It’s not so much that we chose him,” the man identified as Todd said, “but … from his reaction when we first met, he chose us as well.”

Photo via Michigan Humane Society