Cruel woman, 19, ‘taped her four-month-old puppy’s mouth shut for TWO WEEKS to stop her barking’

A CRUEL woman has been accused of taping her four-month-old puppy’s mouth shut with a hair tie for two weeks to stop her barking.

Alexis Callen, 19, admitted she tied Shadow’s snout for two days, but veterinarians believe it was shut for two weeks, causing severe disfiguration.

The Black Labrador retriever-Alsatian mix is expected to make a full recovery, but she requires £1,570 ($2,000) worth of reconstructive surgery so she can eat and drink normally again.

She needs immediate medical care as the left side of her snout has been sliced so severely you can see the inside of the mouth even when her jaw is closed.

Celestial Zoo, a Utah County cat and dog rescue, first discovered Shadow’s injuries when Callen posted on Facebook about looking to rehome her puppy because she couldn’t afford her treatment.

The group shared images of Callen’s post with a picture of Shadow, who appears wet, with the raw injury to her snout visible.

Callen, of Murray, Utah, first blamed Shadow’s injuries on a neighbour, but later told authorities it was her.

The teen’s post read: “My puppy got hurt badly and I don’t have the expenses to pay for her to go to the vet to get stitches, so I’m here to rehome her.

“She’s a Lab German Shepard mix. Pm me for info,also anyone who bashes on me will be blocked from talking to me.”

‘MY PUPPY GOT HURT BADLY’

Celestial Zoo then shared what appeared to be comments from Callen’s post where she blames the injury on a dog sitter, even though her name is covered in the screenshots.

The comment reads: “I had to make an emergency trip to see my family so i had someone in my complex watch her.

“When I got back her snout was tied shut and swollen, i tried to do what i could to help her but i don’t have the expenses to pay for her to get stitches or healed properly.

It goes on: “It wasn’t even a muzzle that they used, they said they did it because she wouldn’t stop whining.”

Callen now faces a felony torture charge.

Caylla Facemyer, Shadow’s new foster mom, told Fox 13: “Left side [of her nose], it’s completely open even with her mouth closed.

“You can see into her mouth. It’s pretty bad.”

Celestial Zoo is now seeking for donations to help for Shadow’s surgery.

They gave an update on Shadow’s condition on June 18 saying: “The vet looked it over and cleaned it up.

“Gave her some antibiotics and pain meds.

“The left side has already separated and will need surgery.

“The right side may as well. It looks to be a rubber band or hair tie around her muzzle that caused it, left on for a week or two.

“She’ll need to be seen again in a few days and then we’ll see what we need to do for surgery.”

Celestial Zoo also shared news about Callen’s arrest later that same day.

The group said: “Shadow had to go back to the vet today for a cone, but even though she is not happy about her cone, she is happy to report that thanks to the quick action of the Murray Animal Control officers, an arrest has been made on felony animal abuse charges.

“We are thrilled at the quick action and hope that justice is found. She still has a long road and surgeries ahead of her, but she’s expected to make a full recovery.”

One Friday they announced Shadow’s surgery had been scheduled.

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