Couple charged with animal cruelty after dog found stuck with porcupine quills

A couple was charged with animal cruelty for allegedlydenying their dog veterinary care after she was found stuck with over 20 porcupine quills.

Richard and Hillary Marshall, of Phillipston, are facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, according toMSPCAAngell.Theywill be arraigned on May 24.

An MSPCA law enforcement officer brought the Cane Corso, named Buttercup, into Angell’s Emergency & Critical Care Unit on April 9, according to the organization. The 4-year-oldhadquillson her back, head,neck and inher mouth, and had toundergo surgery to remove 20 of them.

“Buttercup was in significant pain, suffering from a fever, and riddled with infection and abscesses, the result of the quills embedding into her muscles,” the MSPCA said in a statement. “She also tested positive for Lyme disease and, as a result, her joints were inflamed.”

Theveterinariansremoved the quills, drained infected fluid fromher bodyand gave her antibiotics to fight herLyme disease, according to the MSPCA. Buttercup is now healing and ready for adoption, with the MSPCA sayingshe is very friendly and social.

“She proves yet again just how resilient animals are, despite the sometimes horrific treatment they endure,”Alyssa Krieger, manager of the adoption center, said. “We’ve made her as comfortable as we can during her stay and her friendly personality has shone through. We’re looking forward to finding a loving new home for her.”

Anyone who is interested in adopting Buttercup can email the MSPCAat adoption@mspca.orgor visitmspca.org. The organizationsaid she is receiving ongoing care to heal from surgery but she ispast the worst of her health issues. They notedButtercupwould dobest in an active home where she couldget a lot of exercise.