SHACK handling severe cases of neglect

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. - Josiah, a boxer who was brought into the Mobile County Animal Shelter with a severe wound to the head, is in good spirits on Monday. In our visit to the veterinary hospital, we were also introduced to several other cases of animal cruelty and neglect.

According to Mobile County officials, a homeowner contacted them when the found the dog tied to a tree with bleeding profusely. The dog was taken from the shelter by Robbie Fitzgerald at the Safe Haven Animal Care Kennel, or the S.H.A.C.K, and rushed to the vet.

The county said the wound either came from a blow to the head or the dog was grazed by a bullet. You may not even recognize him since he has been cared for at Irby Overton Veterinary Hospital.

"Just in three days all the swelling has gone down in his head, and he's just a bundle of joy. It’s like he didn't know anything ever happened to him," said Fitzgerald.

As we were with Josiah, we discovered there were more dogs suffering from severe neglect just down the hall.

"In every corner we turn there is neglect," said Fitzgerald

Seven Jack Russell Terrier mix puppies were rescued by a Shack volunteer on Sunday. They are all covered in scabies and completely malnourished.

"It’s heartbreaking because they didn't ask to come into this world, and they are sore. His skin is literally sore right now. They are so scared and they don’t understand. They are eight weeks old. This is the life they've known," said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald the puppies were found in a box on with a sign that read “free to a good home.”

“She gave them three or four baths last night and thousands and thousands of fleas were just dropping off,” said Fitzgerald.

Then we met Grace, a pit bull mix who was rescued Sunday by Kaci Stokley.

"I don't know how people can do it. We literally saw the fresh marks where she had just been dumped, where she was pacing up and down, looking for the people that had dumped her," said Stokley.

Stokley said Grace just gave birth, but she couldn’t find the puppies.

As Fitzgerald was paying her bill at the vet, it was shocking how much the care of these animals cost. Just in the services Monday, it was close to $1,000. Fitzgerald said she pays close to $7,000 a month.

To donate, you can find the S.H.A.C.K . on Facebook or on their ChipIn site .