Lehigh Acres rescue’s mission: Saving abused dogs

Abused dogs, some in unimaginable conditions, are being brought from all over the state to recover in Southwest Florida.

Love is Fur Ever Dog Rescue – or LIFE Rescue – in Lehigh Acres takes the worst of the worst and spends whatever’s necessary to help dogs recover.

Dogs like Whiskey, whose wounds were so severe that WINK News had to blur the images in order to show them.

“We believe that every dog has a purpose for living and we wanted to make sure that he didn’t die or suffer in the shelter any longer, so we moved as quickly as we could and brought him here,” said Victoria Frazier, the rescue’s founder.

Whiskey had deep cuts from a rope, a large gash on his leg from being dragged, and a hole where his tail once was. Despite the abuse, he’s going to make it.

“He is a gentle giant and you would think that everything that he’s endured, that he would have some sort of anger or scarcity towards people but he is absolutely by far the most charming, sweet young man, sweet young puppy, that you could imagine,” Frazier said.

Frazier searches the state for dogs who have been battered and abused, and brings them to her Lehigh Acres rescue. She started the organization in 2013 after rescuing a dog on the street, fixing her, and getting her adopted.

Eight-month-old Whiskey came from Miami, where he was found on the street. Love is Fur Ever knew they had to take him, even though they were already in debt with other vet bills.

“It will be a fight to find justice and we may never find that, but at least we have attempted to bring whomever has done this forward,” she said.

Whiskey is set to have skin graft surgery next week, with a vet bill that will range from $20,000 to $40,000.

Then, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will honor Whiskey by naming him a “Deputy Dog.”

“He’s going to be a face for our community for animal abuse,” Frazier said.

WINK News was getting ready to talk with the vet who’s caring for Whiskey, but he had to suddenly cancel when another dog from the rescue needed emergency surgery.

Sadly, this animal abuse is not rare.

Because Whiskey’s abuse happened in Miami, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said all they could do is take down the information and forward the report to Miami-Dade police, who have not opened a case.

Florida’s law states animal abuse is only punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

Frazier said that’s not nearly enough.

For more information on Love is Fur Ever Dog Rescue, click here.