Dog found with muzzle taped shut out of surgery

June 04, 2015 12:00 am • Last Updated: June 04, 2015 8:00 am

Father Vincent Maroun, from St. Benedict Catholic Church, visits Caitlyn to pray and bless her as she heals from abuse at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Tuesday June 2, 2015. Police in South Carolina have arrested a man after a dog was found with electrical tape around its muzzle last week. (Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL PRINT OUT; THE STATE OUT

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Surgery on Caitlyn, the South Carolina dog who was severely injured after her muzzle was taped shut, took a little longer than expected but the surgeon is optimistic about her recovery.

Local media outlets report the surgery was performed at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday. A spokeswoman says Caitlyn had her lip and cheek reconstructed, but only lost minimal function of her tongue.

Caitlyn, a stray 15-month-old chocolate Staffordshire mix, showed up at a home last Wednesday with her mouth tightly bound with black electrical tape.

Authorities say 41-year-old William Leonard Dodson of North Charleston was arrested Monday and charged with ill treatment of animals. He remains in Charleston County Jail. It wasn't clear if he has an attorney.

Caitlyn, named by rescuers, receives treatment at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Tuesday June 2, 2015. Police in South Carolina have arrested a man after a dog was found with electrical tape around its muzzle last week. Multiple news outlets report authorities say 41-year-old William Leonard Dodson of North Charleston was arrested Monday night and charged with ill treatment of animals. (Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL PRINT OUT; THE STATE OUT

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