posted May 30, 2015 03:11 PM            

The 15-month-old Chocolate Staffie mix named Caitlyn had her mouth painfully sealed shut with electrical tape, with her tongue caught between her sharp teeth, for up to two days before she was discovered by a good Samaritan, the Charleston Animal Society said.

The tape was tied around her muzzle so tight, the pup lost blood flow to her tongue.

"Caitlyn is in a lot of pain, her condition is critical, and her prognosis is guarded," said Dr. Lucy Fuller, Charleston Animal Society's senior director of veterinary care. "A large part of her tongue may need to be removed surgically if the tissue dies from the lack of blood flow. She may be severely disfigured, or the large amount of dead tissue may cause life-threatening complications."

The friendly North Charleston pup was a well-known stray in the Chicora Cherokee neighborhood, officials said. She was last seen on Memorial Day before turning up at a neighbor's doorstep on Wednesday.

"This is the most malicious case of animal abuse I have seen in my entire career," Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty & Outreach Aldwin Roman said. "To leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue is heartbreaking."

Caitlyn is recovering well and was transferred to a specialty care facility Friday, officials said.

he Humane Society of the United States is offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the abuse.

"Caitlyn is a friendly dog who may have suffered for days and is now fighting for her life," said Kimberly Kelly, the Humane Society's South Carolina state director. "Anyone capable of such a heartless act of cruelty should be held accountable, and we hope this reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dog-found-muzzle-taped-shut-s-lose-tongue-article-1.2240450