ADA -- The humane society is hardly a home for a pet, but for one dog in town, it's the most care she's ever received, after authorities found her skin growing around her collar. "It would have died if it wasn't rescued," said Jim Nowlin, assistant manager of Pontotoc Animal Welfare Society.


In the P.A.W.S shelter, she's known as number nineteen. Rescued last week by the sheriff's office with a major wound, her skin grafted to a collar that was too tight, ballooning around it, causing a large infection.


"It does happen from time to time," Ada Veterinarian Clinic doctor Sam Bryant said. "That's probably the worst one that I've seen."


The Ada Veterinary Clinic operated on her for free, to save her life. The Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office and Animal Control Officers set out to rescue her, after a neighbor on County Road 3536 in Latta called. They noticed the infection bulging out of her collar, and told authorities she'd been roaming the street for about a year, and had the collar on since she was a puppy.


Vets now estimate she is between one and two years old. 


She is scared, even unfriendly by some standards, but she is starting to let people pet her, and Nowlin says he is hopeful.


"She was abused and mistreated," he said. "She just needs some love and care, and everyday petting. She hasn't been around people for a long period of time it seems like, so just being around people will probably take care of that in time" 


Her wounds will heal in the next month, though scars will stand, both physical and mental.


"She will heal up," he said. "She's doing great now. I have high hopes for her. Just for me being able to get in her pen and pet her. That says a lot."


When she's better, they hope to continue her therapy with a rescue group, but admittance can be tough, so if not, she will be adopted out to a family that is heavily screened. 


P.A.W.S is accepting donations to help cover the cost of antibiotics. Click
 to donate via PayPal. 


The Pontotoc County Sheriff is searching for the dog's owner, but has not been successful so far. If you have any information, call them at 580-332-4168.