TAMPA, Fla. – One day after Hope’s former owner was arrested and charged with felony counts of arson and cruelty to animals, doctors from BluePearl Veterinary Partners say they continue to see improvements, especially with Hope’s eyes.
Hope is a 1-year-old female, mixed-breed dog who was allegedly set on fire by her owner in Arcadia, Fla., on March 20.
According to the Florida State Attorney’s Office in Arcadia, the Arcadia Police Department arrested Larry Wallace, 66, and charged him with one count of cruelty to animals, a 3rd-degree felony, and one count of arson, a 2nd-degree felony, on Monday.
On Tuesday, Dr. Tammy Miller Michau, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist with BluePearl and one of the specialists overseeing Hope’s care, said Hope’s eyes have made significant improvements since last week and are in the best shape she has seen them.
Because of burns to her eyes, some of the tissue had sloughed off of the center part of her left cornea, which caused the tissue underneath it to become more fragile.
“As the eye continues with the healing process, her eye is attempting to grow blood vessels to try to heal the center of her cornea where the most damage was done, “Michau said.
Hope is still expected to recover and retain her sight in both eyes.
BluePearl Veterinary Partners specialty and emergency hospital in Tampa is one of nine nationally recognized veterinary trauma centers in the U.S.
People interested in donating to Hope’s care should make donations directly to the Hardee Animal Rescue Team, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, via their website at hardeeanimalrescueteam.weebly.com.
