The Worst Case of Abuse I've Ever Seen' Leads to...a $25 Fine?

A German shepherd allegedly spent four years chained to a tree. When rescued by authorities last week, he was emaciated and flea-ridden. The justice served to his Ohio owner thus far? A $25 fine. But more could be coming.

According to the Hamilton Journal-News, Jeremy Temple of Middletown was arrested last week after police received reports of two potentially abused dogs -- the German shepherd, renamed Joseph, and a Pomeranian.

When questioned by police, Temple told them Joseph often lost weight in the summer and later, of the dog's conditions, said "the dog is not a human," according to the Journal-News.

The German shepherd when he was first photographed by authorities still chained to a tree. (Image source: WCPO-TV video screenshot)

Veterinarians caring for Joseph told WCPO-TV "this is the worst case of abuse I’ve seen here."

Michael Gigis with West Chester veterinary clinic told the local news station the dog is "feeling a little better now, a little more perky."

A Progressive Animal Welfare Society volunteer, Meg Melampy, told WCPO when Joseph was brought in and bathed him "the blood just ran off of him."

The German shepherd, Joseph, is being cared for at an animal hospital after being allegedly chained to a tree for four years. (Image source: PAWS Adoption Center/Facebook)

WCPO went onto report neighbors saying they thought something was wrong with the dog, but Temple told them it had a disease that caused this appearance.

Temple was charged with animal cruelty, having an unlicensed dog and improper chaining/tethering, according to the Journal-News. He is currently free on bond and will appear in Middletown Municipal Court on October 14. For now, Temple has paid his $25 fine.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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