CRIME

Group seeks help finding pit bull's attacker

robin brown
The News Journal
  • He had three skull fractures, broken orbital bones, massive swelling and blood in his eyes
  • The group seeks volunteers to hand out thousands of fliers next Sunday in Wilmington

Odin, a pit bull nearly killed last month in Wilmington when his head was bashed with a brick, is making a remarkable recovery and starting to regain eyesight.

"Whoever did that to this poor dog needs to be brought to justice," said Lauren Ramone, the founder and president of Pit Bull Pride of Delaware, adding that the group needs help to make that happen.

The group seeks volunteers to hand out thousands of fliers next Sunday in Wilmington about a reward of up to $5,000 from the Humane Society of the United States for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The beating of the dog outraged Delaware dog-lovers like Joanne Varell of New Castle.

"She carries the newspaper article about Odin with her all the time," her daughter Debbie Varell, said this week. "My mother has cried so much over that dog.... My prayers just go out to him. We love you, Odin."

On May 19, the 3-year-old dog was taken from an East 17th Street yard and his owners later found him near-dead in a nearby alley. They called Delaware Animal Care and Control, part of First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, which investigates animal cruelty.

The nonprofit sent an investigator and the family at that point gave ownership of the dog to the group, said Executive Director Kevin Usilton. Odin then was taken to the Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware on Churchmans Road near New Castle.

He had three skull fractures, broken orbital bones, massive swelling and blood in his eyes.

"Odin was at our hospital for eight days, receiving treatment from three specialist veterinarians, emergency veterinarians and many staff members around the clock," Dr. Art Jankowski said later. Staffers also donated time and financial support.

At first, Odin's survival was in doubt, Ramone said, but "they did a wonderful job.... They saved his life."

After a check-up Friday at Windcrest Animal Hospital in Wilmington, critical care supervisor Isabelle Lajoie called his recovery "impressive." Aside from his injuries, she said, his health is excellent.

His ownership has been transferred to Pit Bull Pride of Delaware, which is now providing foster care. His first family, which fell on hard times, had placed Odin with a new family shortly before he was beaten, Ramone said.

His original family contacted her and "totally supports our finding him a new forever home," she said.

Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.

HOW TO HELP

• Volunteers to distribute fliers June 22 in Wilmington should email Lauren Ramone of Pit Bull Pride of Delaware, at lauren@pitbullprideofdelaware.org with "JUSTICE FOR ODIN" in the subject line, including volunteers' names, ages and phone numbers.

• Tips about Odin's beating may be called to Capt. Sherri Warburton of Delaware Animal Care and Control, at (302) 698-3006.

• Donations for Odin's ongoing vet bills may be sent to Pit Bull Pride of Delaware, Box 7980, Newark, DE 19714.

FOLLOW ODIN'S PROGRESS

Pit Bull Pride of Delaware is posting about Odin's progress at www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-our-sweet-Odin.