The Veterinarian Report states Rosie was "extremely emaciated," "severely covered in fleas and flea dirt," "has severe dental disease" as well as "tapeworms" when she was found on October 1st, 2013.
On that day, Mercer County Animal Control got a call from someone concerned about the welfare of a dog living on 155th Avenue in Sherrard, Illinois. When they responded to the complaint, they found Rosie - a 9-year-old beagle mix neglected by her owner.
"This dog was just thrown outside and forgotten about," says Patti McRae, Executive Director of the Quad City Animal Welfare Center. "Neglected. Total neglect."
"[Her] ears were so bad that there was puss coming out of them and the smell was just horrific."
McRae says Rosie was adopted as a puppy from the Quad City Animal Welfare Center in 2004. As of Friday, November 8th, 2013, 59-year-old Thomas Hayden has been charged with "lack of animal owner's duties." He is out on bond awaiting his first court appearance on November 13th.
If found guilty, McRae says the most Hayden could face is a fine.
"Of course, I'd like to see jail time too, but I can't see that that's going to happen."
Meanwhile, Rosie is at Mercer County Animal Control. Her caretakers say they're optimistic she'll survive and hopefully one day find a new home.
"We would love to have Rosie in a home where she could just spend the rest of her last years of her life being loved and taken care of like she should be," says McRae.
McRae adds that if any pet owner is ever in the position on not being able to take care of their pet, neglect should not be an option.
"We always tell people if there are any problems or life changing occurrences, please bring the animal back to our shelter. We want our animal back and there's just so many shelters out there that would be willing to help. There are other options versus just leaving them outside."