Purcell Police Investigate After Dog Suffers Disturbing Wound

Tom Baird's dog named Smoke is not technically a service animal. But she is there for him when he's sick and always.

“It’s a friend, it’s his kid, it’s everything,” said Tina Richardson, Baird’s caretaker.

At Baird’s home on West Brule Street in Purcell on December 3, she said Smoke went outside for a few minutes on a cable.

Baird heard her yelp and hollered at Richardson.

“So I came to the door and I started to bring her in and I seen [sic] the big gash across her,” Richardson explained.

She said she called for help and Baird was heartbroken.

“He couldn’t stop crying,” she said.

Purcell Police said Monday they have very little suspect information. The description for the unknown suspect listed on the report showed a male, 5’6” and 145 lbs.

Someone on a bike was reported to be in the area. But investigators said they don't know if that person committed the act, since there were no reported witnesses to the actual crime.

“The vet said it was definitely with a sharp, jagged tool,” Richardson told News 9 about Smoke’s injury.

She said the dog has shown some improvement over the last few days. All her stitches will stay put for another week.

The dog’s family is hopeful whoever is responsible for the gruesome gash is caught.

“They need some help because if they’re going to be cutting innocent animals like this, then it’s going to turn into something a lot worse,” Richard said.

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals says it'll give $3,000 for information leading to an arrest and prosecution.

Anyone with information about this case or any other similar incidents is asked to contact Purcell Police.