The discovery of a severely wounded pitbull terrier -- likely after it was used as a " bait dog " for training fighting dogs -- has prompted an investigation by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

The dog, named "Sophie" by the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, had to be euthanized because of its injuries, which included puncture wounds to the head, feet and body. One of its ears had been torn off.

"I've been here for 13 years, and this is one of the most incredibly sad things I've seen," said Joni Geiger, director of the humane society.

Personnel with the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission reviewed photos and found that the wounds of the female dog were consistent with use as a bait dog to give fighting dogs practice.

The husband of Lynn Neyhard found the dog on their property in the town of Black Wolf. The couple called the town constable, who brought in the humane society.  "It was sickening," Neyhard said. "I've never seen a dog in that terrible of a condition, and to know that people did that to a dog by letting them fight is pretty nauseating."

Geiger said the dog was lactating, indicating she recently had a litter of puppies.

She also said the discovery of the dog was not the only evidence of dogfighting activity going on in the area.

Other dogs with injuries consistent with dogfighting have been brought to the humane society, she said.

Geiger said people involved in dogfighting commonly conceal it, and it's up to the public to report to authorities when they see suspicious activities.

Update 1/17/06:  Three anonymous donors in Oshkosh hope a dog's fatal injuries weren't in vain. The Oshkosh Area Humane Society says the donors have put up a total of $3,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible for the severe injury of a dog found in the town of Black Wolf.

The dog named Sophie by the Humane Society was determined to be a "bait dog" -- or an animal used to give fighting dogs practice -- after officials with the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission reviewed photos of the injuries. The female pitbull had puncture wounds to her head, feet and body as well as an ear torn off, and officials euthanized the animal because of her severe condition.

Update 1/25/06:  The Oshkosh Humane Society says a dog it believed was used by a dogfighting ring did not suffer her injuries in a dogfight.

A necropsy -- an animal autopsy -- found subtle differences in the dog's wounds to what would be expected in a dogfight. The necropsy did, however, find the dog suffered "extreme blunt force trauma to her head, torso and legs," the humane society said.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department is still investigating what caused injuries to the dog.

Sophie's case led to a $3,000 reward for information about a dog-fighting ring. The humane society says that reward is still offered for information about the cause of the dog's severe injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call (920) 236-7370.

Other donations will still be used to educate law enforcement officers to recognize signs of animal abuse.

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