posted July 13, 2012 02:18 PM            

An anonymous donor has put up an additional $25,000 reward via a new non-profit called the Texas Humane Alliance, which is based in Dallas but doesn’t have a website yet.

So that’s $35,000 total for information leading to the dog torturer’s arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information can call sheriff’s investigators at 817-594-8845 or Crime Stoppers at 817-599-5555.

Staff writer Talia Richman reports:

A dog found tortured in Parker County this week is recovering from her injuries, and authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for whoever’s responsible for one of the worst cases of animal cruelty ever reported in the county.

The 3- to 4-year-old pug mix, named Hope by her rescuers, is in good spirits and should survive her injuries, said Rhonda Sears, a veterinary technician at Bowie Drive Animal Hospital.

“Hope is doing excellent. She just doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.” Sears said. “The swelling is going down in her muzzle and there is no doubt in my mind that she’ll survive.”

On Monday, Hope was found with her muzzle taped shut with electrical tape and several cuts on her body.

Someone had also pulled her tongue out before taping her mouth shut, causing her tongue to swell so much that she could not eat, drink or pant.

As a result, her body temperature had risen to 105.7 degrees – 4 or 5 degrees above what is normal for an adult female dog.

In addition to being overheated and dehydrated, Hope had cuts 1 to 5 inches long all over her body that took more than 100 stitches to close.

Understandably, she tried to run from the animal control officers and 10 volunteers who attempted to rescue her but was finally tracked down after hours of searching.

This morning, she ate and drank a little bit, said Danie Huffman, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office. She’s still on antibiotics and sedatives and napped in the lap of a veterinary technician this morning.

Sears said part of Hope’s tongue may have to be removed, but most likely it will just be the edges where her teeth cut into it.

Parker County has started a fund to help cover Hope’s care. To donate to the Parker County Sheriff Animal Care and Cruelty Reward Fund, you can either call Huffman directly at 682-229-2358 or send cash or money orders to the sheriff’s department at 129 Hogle Street Weatherford, Texas, 76086.

Donors can choose whether to donate towards Hope’s care or to a reward fund.

Sears said $10,000 has been raised for the reward so far.

Anyone with information about the dog can call sheriff’s investigators at 817-594-8845 or Crime Stoppers at 817-599-5555.