Last year, AHS’ animal cruelty investigators and EAMTs™ responded to a total of 26,756 calls for help for animals like Knox. Of those, more than 7,600 were initial calls regarding animal cruelty, which required an additional 13,000 follow-up visits by AHS EAMTs. This is a 15 percent increase from 2010-2011.

HELP KEEP ANIMALS LIKE KNOX SAFE FROM ABUSE

The first time Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ saw Knox, she was just a skeleton of a Great Dane weighing only 74 pounds, her ribs and pelvic bones protruding through her skin. Having been neglected for two years, she was too weak to even stand, and the severely malnourished dog could only greet EAMTs with a simple tail wag.

These days she enjoys a pampered lifestyle and the unconditional love of her new forever home.

And while Knox’s story has a happy ending, sadly, AHS is seeing more and more cases of abuse and neglect toward Valley animals. In recognition of National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month in April, AHS and Phoenix PD recently teamed up to help educate the public about animal abuse and neglect.