Csonti, a statuesque Belgian Malinois mix, spent a majority of his eight years on Earth protecting his country overseas, trained in explosives detection in order to serve at a U.S. Embassy. (Pennsylvania SPCA/Facebook)
(Tribune News Service) — A dog who spent over half his life serving the U.S. only to be met with unimaginable abuse following his retirement is in need of a home in Pennsylvania.
Csonti, a statuesque Belgian Malinois mix, spent a majority of his eight years on Earth protecting his country overseas, trained in explosives detection in order to serve at a U.S. Embassy, the Pennsylvania SPCA said in a July 28 Facebook post.
While Csonti is perfectly safe, and even thriving, at the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia, his years following retirement are riddled with abuse and unfathomable neglect at the hands of a rescue organization that was supposed to be a savior for animals who dedicated their lives to this country, according to the animal shelter.
“‘To protect and to serve,’” Pennsylvania SPCA said in a May 24 post. “For many years, 28 dogs followed this motto. Some were on the front lines of war-torn countries, others with law enforcement across the nation, and still more spent their days sniffing through major transportation hubs.”
These special dogs were taken in by K-9 Hero Haven, an organization that was supposed to care for the animals while finding them permanent homes and families, the Pennsylvania SPCA said. Instead, nightmare scenarios turned into real life as neglect rained upon the once strong soldiers, ripping away their hope and energy.
“After the Bureau of Dog Law conducted a routine inspection, they alerted our Animal Law Enforcement team with concerns,” the post said. “The dogs’ kennels were covered in feces and blood and their water bowls were green from lack of cleaning. Bodies that were once lean and exuded strength now withered away with untreated medical conditions.
“What was supposed to be a haven for these heroes ended up being the very opposite.”
The SPCA stepped in and rehoused almost 30 dogs — including Csonti — and began the process of providing the military vets and former government working dogs with the love and affection they deserved and vowed to do what the rescue didn’t, find their forever homes.
“Since coming to the PSPCA, (Csonti) has blossomed back into the amazing dog he always was. All he needs now is a forever home. Csonti was our hero for so long, who will be his?” the July 28 Facebook post said.
The owner of the rescue, Ann Gibbs, was charged with counts of animal cruelty in 2023 and pleaded guilty months later, WCAU reported. Her kennel license was also revoked.
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