Gwen, a young puppy at Antioch Animal Services, is on the mend after shelter staff uncovered a brutal, human-inflicted injury to her ear that left part of it dead and infected. Veterinarians at the shelter removed the damaged section of Gwen’s ear along with surrounding necrotic tissue, after finding a rubber band folded tightly around it. The wound had become severely infected, and the shelter shared graphic photos with a viewer-discretion warning to document what happened and to plead for information.
Despite the trauma, staff say Gwen is alert, eating, and acting like the resilient puppy she is. Once the wound finishes healing, which shelter staff estimate will take about a week, she is expected to be cleared for adoption.
Antioch Animal Services detailed the case and treatment timeline in a public post that includes photos and medical notes. According to that post, the rubber band was folded around Gwen’s ear and had to be surgically removed along with the necrotic tissue. Anyone who may know how Gwen ended up in this condition is urged to contact the shelter through its listed channels. The full appeal, along with the viewer-discretion warning, is available on the Antioch Animal Services' Facebook page.
Shelter Care And Next Steps
Gwen is being treated at the city-run shelter on L Street, which lists Catriona Cottle as Animal Services manager and offers guidance on adoptions and medical holds on its website. The shelter’s contact page lists the facility at 300 L Street and provides a phone number for tips and general inquiries. Staff say ongoing medical checks will determine exactly when Gwen is cleared for adoption. Shelter hours and contact details are available on the City’s website at City of Antioch.
Legal Context
If investigators determine that someone intentionally harmed Gwen, California law allows prosecutors to pursue animal cruelty charges under Penal Code §597, which covers maiming or torturing animals. The statute is what lawyers call a “wobbler,” meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the conduct and the defendant’s intent. In serious cases, courts can impose jail time, fines, restitution, and forfeiture of animals. Shouse Law outlines how prosecutors typically apply Penal Code §597.
How To Help
Antioch Animal Services is asking anyone with information about Gwen’s condition to reach out to Manager Catriona Cottle using the contact channels listed on the shelter’s site, which also includes a phone line for non-emergency tips. For shelter hours and basic contact information, visit City of Antioch, and for additional context on reporting animal-related cases and recent shelter appeals, see coverage from CBS Bay Area.
