Couple Charged With Denying Dog Veterinary Care After She Was Stuck With Porcupine Quills

BOSTON (CBS) -- The MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement department has filed animal abuse charges against a Phillipston couple for allegedly denying their dog veterinary care after she was found stuck with several porcupine quills.

Richard and Hillary Marshall are facing one count of felony animal cruelty for allegedly causing their dog to suffer unnecessarily after she was found with several porcupine quills stuck in her body. At least 20 of the quills had to be removed through surgery at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center.

Buttercup, the couple's four-and-a-half-year-old Cane Corso, was brought to Angell's Emergency & Critical Care Unit on April 9 by a MSPCA Law Enforcement officer. The quills were on her back, head, and neck, as well as in her mouth.

"Buttercup was in significant pain, suffering from a fever, and riddled with infection and abscesses, the result of the quills embedding into her muscles," the MSPCA said in a release. "She also tested positive for Lyme disease and, as a result, her joints were inflamed."

With the help of veterinarians, Buttercup was able to recover. The quills were removed, infected fluid was drained from her body, and she was treated with antibiotics to fight her Lyme disease. She has been spayed and is now up for adoption--and the MSPCA says she is very friendly and social.

"Buttercup proves yet again just how resilient animals are, despite the sometimes horrific treatment they endure," said Adoption Center Manager Alyssa Krieger in a release. "We've made her as comfortable as we can during her stay and her friendly personality has shone through. We're looking forward to finding a loving new home for her."

The MSPCA said anyone interested in adopting Buttercup can email them at adoption@mspca.org, or visit mspca.org. They said she is past the worst of her health issues, and would do well in an active home where she can get a lot of exercise.

The Marshalls are expected to be arraigned in Gardner District Court May 24. Animal cruelty, a felony crime in Massachusetts, has a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.