Titusville Police found a dog chained to a stop sign on Friday, suffering from several injuries. Police are now searching for who may be responsible.

  • Little dog Petey found tied to a stop sign in Titusville Friday
  • Vets amputated his leg early Monday morning, which had been broken for several months
  • Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty faces up to a year in jail and fines of up to $5,000

The little dog “Petey” is currently staying at the Brevard County Animal Shelter. He was found chained to a stop sign along a highway in Titusville with one blind eye, and suffering from a broken leg.

“It takes a special kind of person, and not in a good way, to abandon a dog like that, or any kind of animal for that matter,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

Petey is safe now, in the care of Animal Services, but veterinarians did have to amputate his leg early Monday morning.

They believe his leg had been broken for several months. This will leave him in much better condition and much less pain.

“I mean it’s just absolutely heart-wrenching, but Petey was wonderful. He was on the exam table, never once barred his teeth, he was very friendly,” Aleta Mosebach, the Care Center supervisor said.

Mosebach says that’s a good sign, often animals with abusive histories are skittish and shy, but Petey is quite the opposite. Now they’re just hoping to find the person responsible for his injuries.

“We do see them abandoned, not necessarily tied up, but this is probably the second one in a couple of months,” Mosebach said.

In cases like these owners can be found guilty of animal abuse. There is even a county ordinance that makes animal abandonment illegal.

If you’re convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty, in the state of Florida you could face up to a year in jail and fines up to $5,000.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey left other pet owners with a message, hoping this type of cruelty will stop.

“Don’t leave an animal tied up to a stop sign, or a fence, or abandoned, or even dropped off on the road,” Sheriff Ivey said, “We’ll work with you to find that animal a home.”

For now, animal services is focusing on Petey’s health, hoping to find him a “forever home” after he recovers from surgery.