[News] Owner burns her Yorkie on the stove!

[rrosenberry]

Bobo the Yorkshire terrier is in stable condition one day after he was hogtied and set on fire over a stove, a veterinarian said Monday.

In the meantime, the woman who allegedly burned her dog appeared in Jefferson County Court Monday and was advised she is being held for investigation of cruelty to animals and fourth-degree arson. Tanya M. Martin, 38, also was ordered held on $10,000 bail.

Veterinarians said they were cautiously optimistic about 6- year-old Bobo's prognosis.

"One of his biggest hurdles is whether or not he gets an infection," said Elisa M. Mazzaferro, the director of emergency services at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. "It's too soon to tell if he's out of the woods."

Bobo suffered burns to more than 50 percent of his body. The serious injuries were to his tongue, lower jaw and feet pads.

"He's lost most of his feet pads," she said. However, the terrier's trunk, torso and abdominal areas were spared.

Veterinarians treating Bobo also learned that he's deaf, Mazzaferro said.

The hospital desperately is seeking a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to help deliver oxygen to Bobo's damaged tissues. Dead skin on the dog's body could be a major source for infection, Mazzaferro explained.

Lakewood police officers who found the dog inside Martin's apartment on Sunday morning learned that veterinarians found speaker wires wrapped around Bobo's four legs, according to court papers. Officers also found that the wires were attached to the stove where the terrier had been hogtied over the flames.

A neighbor told officers that he saw smoke coming from Martin's apartment on Sunday and went to check on Martin. The neighbor said he heard the dog crying and found it on fire on the stove top, according to an affidavit. Officers tried to question Martin but described her as speaking incoherently and refusing to make statements about the dog.

A relative said Martin suffers from mental illness.



How to help

The Table Mountain Animal Center is accepting donations to help pay for Bobo's medical treatment.

People can mail their donations to Table Mountain Animal Center Foundation, P.O. Box 270587, Louisville, CO 80027. Write "Bobo's Care" on the checks.

People wishing to make a donation online can go to Table Mountain Animal Center - Home and find "Help Bobo the Burned Dog."

[Gypsygirls]

This made me puke in my trash can. All of my co-workers are freaking out. Wow. Speechless. Going to brush.

[TresCutePiggies]

Ugh, that definitely made me tear up. I am so sick to my stomach. I hope little BoBo makes a full recovery, and that his owner gets what she deserves.

[Cudda84]

There are a lot of upset people here in Denver about this. I heard this morning that Bobo is doing better. I am so glad. I live close to Wheatridge Vet and plan to go there to see him myself when things settle down a little bit. There is a lot of activity at Wheatridge because of this.

[fufufashions]

This makes me sick!!
That lady should be hog tied and set on fire!!

[Busters-Mom]

I just got here and read this, my stomach is churning. I can't ever imagine hurting any creature like that let alone my own pet that I love dearly.

What in the world goes wrong with someone? Mental illness or not, it's no excuse..she has to be held accountable.

Prayers for that sweet little guy.

[Kelz]

that literally brought tears to my eyes! i dont understand how people can be so cruel!

[luvfla]

OK...this is going to be wildly unpopular BUT one of my sisters (rest her soul) was mentally ill. Please know that mental illness does not understand reason.
I feel sorry for her because in a moment of clarity she is going to understand what she has done to her buddy & will feel all the pain that is being wished on her.

[raeann]

Originally Posted by rrosenberry

At Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, Jackie Connors (arms shown) and Beth Heaton monitor Bobo a Yorkshire terrier who was found critically burned by his owner on Sunday, October 19, 2008 in Lakewood, Colo. The owner faces felony charges.


LAKEWOOD — A Yorkshire terrier is recovering from second- and third-degree burns to more than half of its body after a woman allegedly hog-tied the pooch and set it on fire on a kitchen stove Sunday.
Tanya Martin, 38, was arrested without incident and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree arson and cruelty to animals, both felonies.
"We do not know what motivated her to commit this horrific crime," said Sheridan Foster, a Lakewood police spokeswoman.
Martin's uncle, Leo Cordova, said his niece suffers from mental illness.
"She loved that animal," he said. "That's her buddy. That's the love of her life."
The terrier, named Bobo, was hog-tied with some type of speaker wire and placed on a phone book that was set ablaze on top of a kitchen stove at the Alpine Mountain Vista Apartments, Foster said.
A neighbor heard the dog yelping about 9 a.m. and called 911. Police rushed to the apartment complex and stopped the fire from spreading, Foster said.
Bobo, who is about 6 years old and weighs 10 to 12 pounds, is expected to survive but faces a long recovery, said Elisa Mazzaferro, director of emergency services at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, where Bobo is being treated.
The dog was burned from the neck down, primarily on his underside and all four of his feet. The skin on his chin and his tongue were severely burned.
Mazzaferro said she has seen at least four other animal-burn cases during her time at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital.
Three of those cases were malicious, including the one involving a cat named Westy, who was set on fire and thrown from a moving car in Westminster. The case involving Westy led to a new law that stiffens the penalties for animal cruelty, she said.
Mazzaferro said West Metro Fire Rescue called the animal hospital to say it was bringing a dog that had been "maliciously and purposely lit on fire by its owner."
Before Bobo was transported, paramedics resuscitated him, she said.
"He was almost unconscious and barely breathing," she said.
Cindy Matthews, a spokeswoman for West Metro, said pet oxygen masks are carried in all of their trucks.
When Bobo arrived at the animal hospital, he was "very critical" and in a "tremendous amount of pain," Mazzaferro said.
Melted plastic, apparently from the hog-tie, was adhered to one of his legs.
By 11 a.m., Bobo was in an incubator that has tubing with supplemental oxygen. He risks getting carbon monoxide poisoning because of the burns, Mazzaferro said.
He was wrapped in bandages to keep the ointment on and to keep the bedding in the incubator from adhering to his skin. Bobo also has an intravenous catheter in his neck to receive pain control medication, antibiotics and supplemental fluids.
Mazzaferro asked that the public "say prayers" for Bobo and donate money to an animal care society in his name.
"We're going to do our best to make sure that Bobo stays alive," she said. "He's in good hands now."

Police arrest woman who burned dog on stove : News Ticker : The Rocky Mountain News

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More than 250 donations totaling more than $10,000 have been made in less than 24 hours to help pay for the care of Bobo, the Yorkshire terrier allegedly burned by his owner in Lakewood.
"Online donations started really flooding in late Monday," Ben Drotar, director of development for the Table Mountain Animal Center, said this morning.
"They range from $10 to $1,000," Drotar said.
Tanya M. Martin, 38, is being held in the Jefferson County jail for investigation of cruelty to animals and fourth-degree arson.
Lakewood police say that after a neighbor made a call about smoke, they discovered that Bobo had been hog-tied over the flames of a stove.
Relatives say Martin suffers from mental illness.
Drotar said Bobo's medical bills and care may come to as much as $15,000 — "worst case scenario."
If the donations exceed the cost of care, they will go into the Westy Fund for abused animals. That fund was established after Westy, a cat, was burned, thrown out a car window and left for dead in 2001.
She was treated at the Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, as was Bobo.
Some animal lovers worry that Bobo is being kept alive despite being in a lot of pain.
Drotar said that despite burns over his legs, Bobo is hanging in there pretty well.
"There's good reason to continue to provide care.
"Burns are very painful, but a big part of his treatment is pain management," he said. "He is being heavily sedated as they take care of his skin. The first 72 hours are going to be the most telling."
Doctors give Bobo about a 50/50 chance.
"At any time the doctors don't think (the treatment regimen) is in Bobo's best interest ... we'll make whatever decision is in the animal's best interest."

Donations can be made to "Bobo's Care" at Table Mountain Animal Center Foundation, P.O. Box 270587, Louisville, CO, 80027. For more information go to Table Mountain Animal Center - Home and find "Help Bobo the Burned Dog."

Donations pour in to help dog Bobo after he was set afire : Local News : The Rocky Mountain News

Very Very Sad god bless you little Bobo

[yorkie mom-3]

I'm just speechless You are in my prayers little Bobo.

[tiggerr36792]

That is absolutely horrifying. I don't understand how ppl can be so cruel to innocent babies.

[RockinRhonda]

TTHIS MADE ME CRY.tHAT NEED TO LEAVE HER IN JAIL FOR EVER.wHY ARE PEOPLE LIKE THIS

[Jacklynn]

wow.... I can't even understand that. Mental issues really mess with people. I just can't imagine someone doing that.

[Wylie's Mom]

It's beyond horrifying. I donated yesterday on behalf of my boys, Wylie and Marcel.

There is another thread for Bobo here: You guys, I cant stop crying. :(

[Mom of 3]

OMG! What are people thinking? I am so glad I am sitting here alone, because I am just crying. I am so very sorry Bobo you had to go through all this. I am praying with all my heart and soul you will recover and find a wonderful forever home.
And as for the woman who did this, Just let a few of us get ahold of you. Just ten minutes!!!