Dog Nearly Decapitated By Shoelace Collar

Warning: This story contains a graphic photo of the rescued dog below, which readers may find disturbing.

An 18-month-old dog was found nearly decapitated from a shoelace that had remained tightly wrapped around her neck for many months.

The German Shepherd mix—now known as Sadie—was discovered by 19-year-old Ernesto Perez in Perris, Riverside County early Thursday morning. "Honestly, I thought her head was going to come off. That’s how deep (the wound) looked," Perez told ABC 7. "It’s crazy. I have never seen anything like that. I don’t know how anyone could let a dog get like that."

Perez spotted the injured dog on his way home from working an all-night shift. After seeing the severity of her injuries, he lured the dog out from beneath a trailer with food until animal control officers arrived.

Sadie had a neck wound at least an inch deep from the shoelace. The shoelace appears to have been tightly bound around the dog's neck since she was a puppy, according to veterinarian Sara Strongin at Jurupa Valley animal shelter in Riverside County. Sadie is now being treated for the injury and resulting infections. She is expected to survive following a long road of recovery and socialization.

Rob Miller, director of Riverside County Department of Animal Services, told CBS LA, "This is clearly a major neglect cruelty case. We are stunned, like so many others will be, when they see how this dog was left to suffer. We can only hope that this case will also remind pet owners never to tie cords or twines around a dog’s neck. Dog collars also have adjustable lengths for a reason.”

The nonprofit Animal Solutions Konnection Foundation is offering a $1000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for the abuse and neglect of Sadie.