In keeping with our desire to bring a light to special rescue stories, we wanted to include Bailey!  Bailey worked hard to write this for you himself.  🙂

My name is Bailey. I was found walking on Murchie Street in Greensboro, NC on September 9th, 2010. I was then taken to the Guilford County Animal Shelter because I had some type of ”wound” on my back. I heard the doctor’s say that I had 2nd- 3rd degree burns on my back and left side. Even though my hair appeared to have been recently groomed, no one in the area claimed to know me. No one called the shelter to ask about me even after my picture was placed on the news.

Pictures of my back were then sent to the Veterinary school at NC State University. Doctor’s at the school believe that the damage caused to my skin was from a hot liquid being poured on me. For the next few weeks, I stayed at the shelter while technicians performed painful treatments on my back. They told me that my hair would never grow back.

On October 14th, I was adopted by my new mom, Keely, and taken to my new home. My mom volunteers with a group called Susie’s Law. They helped change the penalty for someone who is convicted of Felony Animal Cruelty in North Carolina. They fought to have the charge raised to a Class H Felony instead of a Class I Felony which does not require any jail time. In June of 2010, the NC Legislators voted unanimously for this change.

As of April 2011, no one has come forward with any information leading to my previous owner or who could have hurt me. My mom promised to do all that she could to make sure no one forgets my case. She takes me to events with Susie from Susie’s Law and talks about animal cruelty laws and ways that people can help animals in their areas. I also help represent Susie’s Miracle Fund which is based in the Guilford County Animal Shelter. Susie’s Miracle Fund relies on donations in order to pay for the treatment of sick and injured animals that are brought in to the shelter. Without this fund, I probably would not have been able to have my second chance at life.

Now that I am feeling better, I love to go on car rides and meet new people. My mom tells me that I’m beautiful every day and that my scars make me unique. My new family is wonderful! I like to chase my older, bigger brothers in the yard and then be cuddled every night until I go to sleep.

If you have any information on my case, please call Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. If you would like more information on Susie’s Law, please search their name on Facebook. It’s a page where fans seek to raise awareness about animal abuse issues and current laws and promote forward movement of animal legislation in NC.

***Update 04-10-11

Bailey’s case has officially been closed as an, “Accident.” According to police, the family that “found” Bailey with his horrific wounds was actually the owners of Bailey. Their son “unknown age” is mentally handicapped and attempted to give Bailey a bath which resulted in him scalding Bailey to the point of second and third degree burns. The family attempted to treat Bailey’s burns themselves for two days. When it was realized that their home treatment was not working, they took Bailey to a Veterinarian and stated that he had been found.

Due to the child’s mental status and the fact that the family eventually took Bailey to a doctor, charges will not be brought against them.