An abused dog named Tank is on the road to recovery after being found hobbling along a Bay County road with numerous puncture wounds. His future includes multiple costly veterinary visits before he can be placed in a permanent home.
On Friday, Dec. 11, a passerby spotted the pit bull–bulldog mix on Bangor Road and contacted Tasha Erickson, a foster caregiver with the Humane Society of Bay County (HSBC). She took Tank home for the night. Initially, Erickson suspected he had been attacked by another animal, but the truth was far worse.
The next morning, Tank was taken to Midland Animal Clinic and then referred to Great Lakes Pet Emergencies in Saginaw County due to the severity of his injuries.
“This was not the result of an animal attack, but torture at the hands of a human,”
said Abby Fauble, HSBC’s communications chairperson. “There were old and new cuts, stab wounds, and bruises. It appears Tank had been subjected to abuse for most of his life.”
Estimated to be about three years old and weighing 67 pounds, Tank underwent treatment and pain management before being discharged back to Erickson. By Monday, he was transferred to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Auburn Hills for advanced care, including surgery to remove necrotic tissue, skin grafts, and extensive antibiotic treatment.
Dr. Bruce W. Francke of Bay Animal Hospital confirmed the wounds were intentionally inflicted.
“These weren’t from an animal fight. They were linear cuts in different stages of healing, along with slashes, lacerations, and stab wounds,” Francke said.
Despite his suffering, Tank remains gentle and affectionate.
“He’s so sweet,” Fauble said. “One day, he’ll make someone an amazing companion — we just have to get him healthy first.”
Francke expressed gratitude for the community’s compassion:
“The good part of this story is how many people have come together to help this poor dog.”