In August 2019, a bull terrier named Champ was subjected to extreme animal cruelty. His owner, a 28-year-old man was accused of dragging the dog for nearly a mile behind his pickup, leaving a trail of blood. The driver had also supposedly intentionally driven Champ over, leaving the poor dog clinging to life. Now, comes news that his fortunes are changing.

Officer Schultz offers to foster Champ

Round Rock police officer John Schultz heard about Champ’s case and began visiting him at the shelter. After Champ had surgery and recovered from his injuries, Schultz fostered him.

“You don’t want anything to suffer as much as he did and your heart goes out to him knowing what he went through,” said Schultz.

Schultz eventually decided to adopt Champ

Schultz grew to love Champ so much that he ended up adopting him, making the act official during a ceremony held in a Round Rock courtroom. The presiding official, Justice of the Peace Evelyn McLean banged her gavel at the end of the adoption hearing, making it official. Then Schultz, Champ, and the others in the courtroom celebrated with some cake.

A harsh beginning to life

The 3-year-old dog had begun life with the name Snoopy, but Schultz had renamed him Champ after all he had been through. Before being rescued, the dog had been picked up a few times as a stray and brought to the shelter.

During his dragging, Champ lost some skin, including the pads and toenails on some of his paws. He also had some exposed bones after being dragged and had required five to six operations.

Champ was able to almost fully recover

Fortunately, almost all of his hair and toenails have grown back. Chances are the emotional scars will remain, but now he has a new owner who will cherish him and give him love for the rest of his days. Schultz raised much of the $10,000 it cost for Champ’s surgeries.

The rest came from the community, with many donating to Jane’s Fund, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s medical fund. The animal shelter is the one where Champ received most of his care.

Champ’s former owner was charged with animal cruelty

Champ’s former owner and the driver of the vehicle that had dragged him was charged with animal cruelty. He claimed to police that he could not find his dog after driving home with him in the back of his truck.

Officers were suspicious of this statement as they found Champ’s collar in the bed of the pickup. Witnesses said that they saw the man purposely dragging Champ behind the truck and running him over. Furthermore, witnesses state that the driver had stopped and looked at them before driving off.

Was justice served for Champ?

A Texas grand jury determined that there were inadequate grounds for prosecution and a “no bill” was issued, resulting in the case being dismissed. If he had been tried and convicted, the driver could have faced up to 10 years in prison.

Here is a video with more on Champ’s sweet adoption hearing and ceremony.

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Source: Austin American-Statesman