Abused, tortured dog found in Osceola Co. may have been bait dog

ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Investigators are trying to find the people who abused and tortured a pit-bill mix that was found badly beaten on the side of the road in Osceola County.

Ashley Perkins said she was driving along a rural St. Cloud road and pulled over immediately when she spotted the dog.

Perkins said she could tell right away that the dog was in bad shape and needed emergency care.

“Someone dumped this dog to die. He looked like he was knocking on death’s door,” Perkins said.

She said she was horrified by his injuries.

“His skin, legs, arms chest, every part of him was covered in and blood and dirt. Maggots were falling out of his face,” Perkins said.

Workers at the Crystal Creek Animal Hospital, who named the dog Titan, believe the dog was used for fighting,

“There’s no doubt about it, he was used for bait,” said Jennifer Adorno with the Furever Bully Love Rescue organization.

WFTV has done numerous reports about dog fighting in central Florida.

Last month Polk county deputies arrested people they said were involved in a dog fighting ring.

Osceola County deputies said they don’t have any active dog fighting cases right now and they weren’t aware of the case.

Doctors said Titan he will survive but will require care for the rest of his life.

"He'll never be a normal dog, so to speak, but he is special and we're never going to stop for him,” Perkins said.

Donations can be made toward Titan’s care by calling the Crystal Creek Animal Hospital at 407-203-0742.

WFTV