Burned, but NOT Broken
By: Anne Trinkle, Executive Director, Animal Alliance
As an animal lover, nothing hurts me more than when animals are abused or carelessly thrown away by irresponsible owners. Animal Alliance works to change the lives of these animals by providing a nurturing and caring environment along with lifesaving medical care for homeless animals in need. Trooper is one such dog.
A young and exuberant 6 month old American Staffordshire Terrier, full of love for his owner and basking in the joy of puppyhood, Trooper’s life turned ugly in a matter of moments due to a sinister act by his owner. Once a playful pup, Trooper became yet another animal abused at the hands of a cruel and heartless human. 
Though he’d been burned by cigarettes numerous times, evidently that wasn’t enough pain and torture to satisfy his owner. To “punish” his children, Trooper’s callous owner poured rubbing alcohol over the little dog’s body, lit him on fire, and left him screaming in agony.
As Trooper’s skin begin to burn and he cried in pain, this man’s two young children looked on in horror. To the children’s credit, they told a school counselor who then notified the police. This story took place in Philadelphia and was on the evening news back in early February. Thankfully, the perpetrator of this crime was jailed on parole violations and is facing a bevy of animal cruelty and child endangerment charges. The children were removed from the home as well.
Are you shocked and disgusted? I was and still am. That is why Animal Alliance offered to take Trooper just days after the attack on him. I was heartbroken when I saw the burns on Trooper’s body – one eye was damaged and blinded, and his ears were almost all gone. Trooper’s face was covered by burns – severe scabbing and ulcers had formed over inflamed skin, but still, despite his injuries, Trooper was ready to begin a new life. While he had been stabilized at the city shelter he was brought to, infection had set in and his life was in jeopardy. I stood next to him while his burned skin was debrided and cleaned in emergency care provided by one of our vets, Yardville Animal Hospital. Trooper stood bravely, wagging his tail, and licking the hands of those who jumped into immediate action to treat his wounds.
Trooper was taken into foster care with a veterinary nurse who is also an Animal Alliance volunteer. Throughout his ordeal, Trooper has had a pleasant, happy demeanor, he loves and trusts humans, and his spirit is not broken. Trooper is facing a recovery period of several months, and then he will be waiting to meet his forever family. He likes other dogs, and is a playful fellow who, despite severe injury to his entire torso (torso and back) ears and back and the lost vision in left eye, enjoys running around like a typical puppy. It is our job at Animal Alliance to help him heal, and then to find him a home where he will be treasured as a family member. Once he is fully recovered, we have offered to allow the children of his cruel owner to visit with him to see that he is doing fine, While he is permanently scarred for life, the children are as well.
Burned, but not broken. It is amazing to me how animals can be so resilient in the face of cruelty by those who supposedly love them. I believe that animals love unconditionally. I believe that animals, despite enduring horrifying situations, will remain loyal to their “master.” Trooper’s spirit is not broken. With your help, Trooper can finally start the life that he deserves.
Can you help contribute to the cost of Trooper’s care? This was an expensive case for Animal Alliance, and yet only one of the many hundreds of animals we will aid this year. We depend on your generosity to fund each and every one of our rescues, and thanks to your ongoing support, Animal Alliance was able to once again answer the call to help an animal in need.
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If you prefer to donate by check, please mail to:
Animal Alliance, P.O. Box 1285, Belle Mead, NJ 08502
