Dogs recover from abuse at home; owners face charges

A nonprofit says the recovery mission for four dogs that were part of an animal cruelty case is heading in the right direction.

Mutty Paws Rescue came to the aid of a dog named Khaleesi in August, who was found emaciated and alone in Lehigh Acres, which led police to rescue three other dogs in Cape Coral recently. Mutty Paws says those dogs are now seeing better days.

“I’ve done animal rescue for 11 years. I’ve seen a lot, dog fighting, dogs underweight,” said Michelle Holsinger, the co-founder and vice president of Mutty Paws Rescue. “But never seen anything like this.”

Holsinger says the recovery has been an emotional ride.

“We weren’t sure if she was going to make it,” Holsinger said.

Mutty Paws posted Khaleesi’s story online. Her original owner came in with a tip, which led investigators to Khaleesi’s new owner, Ashley Howard, in Cape Coral. That led them to three other dogs, two of them in deplorable conditions.

Deputies arrested Howard for animal cruelty. Her boyfriend Charles Koon was also arrested. Deputies say he knew about the dog’s conditions and didn’t try to help.

“Knowing that everything we did to bring justice to Khaleesi basically saved the lives of the three dogs,” Holsinger said. “If we didn’t push so hard. How long would those dogs have been in those conditions?”

All of the dogs are getting the care they need, thanks to the tip and a whole lot of love.

“It makes you grateful and gives you hope for humanity,” Holsinger said. “There are bad people, but to make up for it, there’s amazing people.”