SC dog found with muzzle taped shut gains national support

UPDATE: Caitlyn is learning how to eat post-surgery.

UPDATE: Caitlyn underwent surger Wednesday to repair damage after she was found with her muzzle taped closed in a North Charleston neighborhood. Surgeons reconstructed her muzzle, according to the Charleston Animal Society's Facebook page.

UPDATE: According to the Associated Press, police arrested 41-year-old William Leonard Dodson of North Charleston Monday night. Dodson was charged with ill treatment of animals.

A Friday evening update on the Charleston Animal Society's Facebook page said Caitlyn the Chocolate Staffie was receiving hyperbaric treatments as well as fuilds and antibiotics.

On Monday, staff at the animal society said this about the pup's progress:

"Caitlyn continues to recover from her ordeal, but she is still hospitalized. She has graduated from intravenous fluids and antibiotics to normal food and oral medications. She continues to receive hyperbaric treatments to improve the health of the damaged tissue in her mouth and cold laser therapy to promote healing. She underwent a small surgical procedure on her lip yesterday, but there is not currently a procedure planned for her tongue. We are still waiting to see how well her body will heal on its own."

According to the Charleston County Sheriff's office website, bond has been set at $50,000.

UPDATE: The Humane Society of the United States has added a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for taping Caitlyn's muzzle shut with electrical tape.

This week multiple media outlets reported a dog was found in North Charleston with its muzzle taped closed with electrical tape.

The Charleston Animal Society - where the dog is being treated - said in a statement the dog, named Caitlyn, is a 15-month-old Chocolate Staffie mix.

Caitlyn was a stray in a North Charleston neighborhood and is described by residents as friendly.

The dog showed up on someone's porch and was transported to the Charleston Animal Society.

Caitlyn was last seen by residents on Memorial Day and was found Wednesday.

"Caitlyn is in a lot of pain, her condition is critical, and her prognosis is guarded," said Charleston Animal Society Senior Director of Veterinary Care, Dr. Lucy Fuller, in a statement Thursday.

"A large part of her tongue may need to be removed surgically if the tissue dies from the lack of blood flow. She may be severely disfigured, or the large amount of dead tissue may cause life-threatening complications. "

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

As of Friday morning the initial call for help on Facebook had more than 8,000 shares.

Anyone wanting to donate to Caitlyn's care can go here.

Charleston Animal Society said the dog will be ready for transport to a specialty facility Saturday.

Follow the non-profit on Facebook here.