Audrey The Pit Bull Shows Incredible Will To Live

Audrey The Pit Bull

ILLINOIS — She was abandoned, had nearly starved to death and hobbled on swollen, infected feet. But the strawberry-blond pit bull with a tan nose and brown eyes rebounded – and waltzed her way into many people’s hearts.

Along the way, she earned a new name.

“We named her Audrey because it means ‘noble strength’ – and that just kind of fit her from day one,” said Cookie Huber, general manager for Animal Care Centers. The veterinary clinic’s Fairfield location has cared for the dog since authorities found her Dec. 19 in Hamilton’s Joyce Park.

The year-old dog then weighed just 27 pounds – about 18 pounds underweight. Huber called the animal “the thinnest, skinniest dog I’ve seen that was actually alive” during her 30-year career with animals. Audrey was so cold that her body temperature, which should have been around 101 degrees, didn’t even register on a thermometer.

“She had to have a great will to live,” Huber said, and that’s why her recovery has inspired everyone at the clinic and touched so many hearts.

At first too weak to show much personality, the dog now displays a friendly and playful disposition. She has added 13 pounds to her frame, attracted donations of money, food and toys, and even has a facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Audrey/238273442909146″>Facebook page, “Justice for Audrey,” dedicated to her.

On Tuesday, followers of that page welcomed news that authorities had tracked down Audrey’s owner, Edwin L. Saunders, 53, of Lockland.

Butler County Dog Warden Julie Holmes said Deputy Warden Kurt Merbs waded through hundreds of tips before finding one that led him Friday to Saunders, with the help of Fairfield police Officer Sandy Sears.

Authorities wouldn’t say what brought Saunders to the Hamilton park where Audrey was found, but they say he admitted to owning and abandoning the dog there.

After hearing that Saunders had been found and charged, one of Audrey’s supporters, Tracy Padgett, posted on Facebook that she wept tears of joy. “People need to know that these animals (cannot) be treated like this,” Padgett wrote. “Give Audrey a big hug. … Let her know she will never be hurt again!!”

Saunders, who couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday, faces misdemeanor charges of cruelty to a companion animal, abandonment, failure to license and failure to confine the dog. If convicted, Saunders could be sent to jail for up to six months and could be fined $1,000.

Audrey’s supporters say that punishment is insufficient. They said they intend to pack Hamilton Municipal Court when Saunders appears; Holmes thinks his court date will be late this month.

Audrey likely will need to remain at the veterinary center awhile longer before she is strong enough to be spayed and then released for adoption in a permanent home, Huber said, adding, “We want to set her on the best road to life that we can.”

Officials are working with a pit-bull rescue group to secure a loving home for Audrey. Despite the breed’s being designated “vicious” by law, Huber says Audrey has been “nothing but darling.” She gingerly accepts food from her caretakers’ hands and behaves lovingly and appropriately in every situation she has encountered, Huber said.

The outpouring of love and support for the dog has been heartwarming – and so has Audrey’s response, Holmes said.

“She went from being a dog that nobody wanted to being a dog that is adored,” Holmes said. “It just melts me when you see a dog who has been so neglected react like this. She never lost the capacity to love — and I think that says tons about these animals.”

Audrey the Pit Bull

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Carrie Burgan
12 years ago

This is saddening and heartening at the same time. They can’t speak for themselves and that is why it is such a travesty when people abuse them.

Carrie Burgan
12 years ago

This is saddening and heartening at the same time. They can’t speak for themselves and that is why it is such a travesty when people abuse them.

Debbie Deal McGee
12 years ago

When you treat an animal this way, I cannot understand how this is not a felony. If you don’t want your animal (which says a world about the type of person you are) take it to a no-kill facility. AT THE VERY LEAST, take it where it will be warm and fed and cared for. What a monster. Lord please let your justice prevail.

Mayra Arroniz
11 years ago

i agree

Rob Leighton
12 years ago

Audrey is adorable.  Thanks for sharing. 

Rob Leighton
12 years ago

Audrey is adorable.  Thanks for sharing. 

help with essay
12 years ago

ohhhh…. poor thing!!! get better!

Metime2relax
Metime2relax
12 years ago

God sent angels to Audrey and he also will send an angel to take care of her and love her for the rest of her life.  Good Luck Audrey and get well God is with you!
I do agree that people that abuse animals should get a bigger sentence and a bigger fine.  Also, it should be register as a felony not a misdemeanor.   

glenda riggs
glenda riggs
12 years ago

I think a person who could do this to a dog could do this to a human.I think they should definitely get a longer sentence.I’m glad Audrey got help in time.I love her.

Westiechick2
Westiechick2
12 years ago

plzzz ppl have to lobby for making it a felony to abuse a dog or any animal for that matter,sweet girl have a beautiful life !!!!!!

Clanmac
Clanmac
12 years ago

God bless all of his creation. It’s up to humands to uphold that. I’m ashamed for all these so called humans with no souls. Let’s us be heard , we will NOT stand by while you torture his beloved creatures. Shame on you and I will vote for any stonger punishment for your demise

DonnaRose
DonnaRose
12 years ago

The people who did this to an innocent dog, need to be shot or put into jail. Or better yet, let’s starve them. Shame on the humans who did this to her.

Amy @ Passion4PetHealth

I live just outside Cincinnati, OH (not Illinois) where Audrey was found.  Thank you for sharing her story! 

Nancy Rafferty
12 years ago

That someone could do such a thing to such a beautiful baby really makes me sick to my stomach.  The law does not punish abusers sufficiently. People {if you can call them that} do not learn any lessons.  I think her former owner should be starved and left in the cold to die.

Shukie_lara
Shukie_lara
12 years ago

Please spay and neuter your pets cause this is what happens to them after you sell them for money. People but them when they are puppies cause they are cute but when they grow older they are abondoned

Desiree97
Desiree97
12 years ago

i wanna help with all the animals

Peter Wesley
Peter Wesley
12 years ago

This type of story is becoming so commonplace, it just sickens me.  I have been collecting ‘rescue cats’, who’ve been cruelly abused, neglected and / or abandoned in my neighborhood, for the past twenty-five years and I’ve seen things that make me believe that the perpetrators should all be summarily executed.

The mistreatment of an innocent life that can’t defend itself is one of the hallmarks of the sociopath.  We really need to adhere to a minimum standard of human behavior, beneath which the offender is permanently removed for the good of the rest of us.

Morticia44
Morticia44
12 years ago

Animal abusers should get automatic death penalty!!!!  No fines and jail time–automatic death penalty

sheila
sheila
11 years ago

Love Beautiful Girl<3

Rae Rufus
11 years ago

We really really need to change the laws in this country dealing with animal abuse, and change them NOW!! My dogs are just as important and special to me as my kids are. If you don’t want your animals take them to shelters don’t abandon them please, and as far as abusing them their is a special place in hell for people like that. Let’s show our animals the love they deserve.

Pamela Wert Landwehr
11 years ago

i am so glad to see that she made it. i dont understand how anyone could do this to an animal i think if the laws were more stiffer on such an act maybe it would make someone think twice before they do something like this.

Norma Boufford
11 years ago

if your not gonna make a lifetime commitment to an animal please walk on by. animals are a commitment for life no different than a chiild. do not get a pet if you dont keep long term commitments.

connie harvey
connie harvey
11 years ago

the punishment give to saunders is a laugh. change the laws to reflect the 20th century. there is no room for hate, bullies, theives, killers…etc. Karma is gonna get this guy, I just wish I could watch..I would be helping for sure

Lavenna
Lavenna
11 years ago

THE PUNISHMENT. IS NOT FITTING ENOUGH TO THE CRIME!!!!! PEOPLE. THAT ABUSE, NEGLECT OR LEAVE SOMEWHERE. TO JUST DIE!!!!! NEED HARSHER PUNISHMENT!!!!!!! THEIR JUST LIKE MY KIDS TO ME!!!! MY FAMILY!!!!! I SO LUV DOGS AND ALL OTHER ANIMALS!!!!! THEY ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT!!!!!!! NOT STARVED, THROWN AWAY OR LEFT TO DIE!!!!!! ALL THEY WANT IS TO MAKE US HAPPY AND LUV US BACK LIKE WE SHOULD DO BACK TO THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’M SO HAPPY SHE ( AUDREY) WAS FOUND!!!! AND GETTING HEALTHIER AND WILL BE GETTING HER SO DESERVED FUREVER HOME AND LOTS OF LUV AND AFFECTION. TOO!!!!!!

Jessica Dent
11 years ago

Ohh poor baby girl! I would love to be closer to where she is to have the chance to give such a sweet lovely girl a forever home! She’s safe now and will never know that abuse again!

Mahesh Kumar
11 years ago

Where exactly is Audrey? Can i come visit her?????

Lesley C. Harrison
Lesley C. Harrison
11 years ago

I really really hope they hang this animal that did this to this poor dear dog!!!

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