FOND DU LAC, Wis., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Two puppies suffered what could be fatal damage when an 8-year-old Wisconsin boy threw bleach on them, the Fond du Lac Humane Society says.
One of the puppies was found in a dumpster Saturday at a Fond du Lac apartment complex, the Fond du Lac Reporter said. The other injured puppy was in an apartment in the complex along with two adult dogs and a third puppy.
Fond du Lac Assistant Police Chief Steve Klein said an 8-year-old boy apparently became angry when one of the 6-week-old puppies bit him. The boy allegedly threw bleach over the puppy and one of its litter mates.
Renee Webb, manager of the Humane Society shelter, said fumes from the bleach damaged both puppies' lungs, causing potentially fatal injuries. She said the puppies could also lose their eyesight.
Klein said the puppy in the dumpster had probably been there for at least an hour. Webb said the delay in treatment made the injuries a lot worse.
"If someone would have intervened and given them a bath or washed out their eyes the first few minutes after it happened, then maybe we could have avoided all this," Webb said. "They're more active today than they were Sunday night, but the next five days will be critical. They're literally fighting for their lives."
The 8-year-old could be charged as a juvenile with animal cruelty and his mother may also face charges.
