Fort Worth Family's St. Bernard Taken, Tortured, Left For Dead
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Three months ago, the St. Bernard known as 'Big Ben' was hours from euthanasia—when Fort Worth's Moss family made him a part of theirs. They saved his life once, and now they're at it again after he was taken from the family's back yard Monday, tortured and left for dead.
"It hurts," said Cassi Moss, with her eyes filling with tears. "I haven't even told my kids."
"I think somebody intentionally did it," said Moss. "I really do. The cuts are not rigid. Looks like a baseball bat… it's a perfect circle."
Moss is certain that Big Ben was taken from their yard, near I-20 and McCart. When she noticed him missing, the gate was still closed. Whoever took him had to close the gate behind them. But, there was another worry more pressing: how would they pay for Big Ben's care? The emergency veterinary bill was some $1600 for just one night.
"It puts an owner in a position where a dog could be saved if they had the money," said Sherri Green, "or the dog has to be put down."
Sherri Green runs a local animal rescue group and helped the Moss' find Big Ben. With few options, they reached out to her for help. Green, in turn, reached out to other animal lovers.
Within hours, a GoFundme had donations pouring in from around the world. The pictures on the page show the severity of some of Big Ben's injuries and are graphic. Still…
"It's still going to be a battle," says Green. "He has very long road ahead of him."
Green arranged for doctors at the Greenville Animal Hospital in Greenville to take over Big Ben's care. He is facing multiple surgeries, if doctors can get him stable. Veterinarians there have agreed to treat him for whatever donors contribute: and the Moss' plan to stay by his side.
"I don't want him to think that we've abandoned him," said Moss. "I don't want him to think he's back in the pound."
Anyone with information about the attack on Big Ben is asked to call Fort Worth police at 817-392-4000.
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