PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

(NOTE TO READERS: To see photos of the skinned dog, click here. CAUTION: GRAPHIC CONTENT)

Recently-released results from a diagnostic test to determine what caused the mutilation of a Vinemont family’s pet beagle has created more questions than it answered.

While a forensics expert said he does not believe the dog’s wounds were caused by human hands, the area veterinarian who first examined the dog is struggling to believe the injuries were accidental.

Sheriff Tyler Roden announced at a press conference Monday the conclusion of George D’Andreas, an animal pathologist for the Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Center at Auburn University.

“Dr. D’Andreas was quite clear that there is an extraordinarily low probability that this was done by a malicious act of another person,” Roden said.

Veterinarian Bruce Lee, who saw the dog, Anne, before it was euthanized as a result of the injuries, said he respects D’Andreas opinion, which he said he did not refute. However, he added, “I saw what I saw.”

“I felt then there was a suspicion of foul play and I always will,” Lee said. “I know of no other possible way that this could have happened without the dog having other injuries.”

Janet Rodgers, the owner of the dog, said she too did not agree with D’Andreas’ report.

“I think it is absolutely a mistake,” she said, adding she thinks a machine would have caused additional injuries to the dog and left residue on the animal.

“There is just no way anyone can make me believe it was done with a machine,” she said.

Roden said D’Andreas found no evidence of knife wounds on the animal and there were no internal injuries on the animal.

“He (D’Andreas) stated in the report that the injuries that occurred to the dog are consistent with a degloving injury which means basically the skin was pulled from the animal rather than cut from off the animal,” Roden said.

Although Roden said D’Andreas suspects the injury was caused by “some type of machinery” he admitted he too finds it difficult to not be skeptical of the findings.

“When I look at it myself it’s hard to come to such a conclusion,” Roden said.

“He (D’Andreas) could not come to any hard, fast 100-percent conclusions on exactly what happened to the animal.”

However, he conceded to D’Andreas’ expertise. “He’s the expert.”

Despite the findings, Roden said the investigation is ongoing.

“We’re going to remain open-minded about this and leave it open for that opportunity,” he said.

In November, Rodgers’ husband, Neal, told The Times he found the three-year-old dog in a condition that led him to believe the dog had been run over by a car on Nov. 18.

On closer inspection, Neal concluded the dog had been skinned.

Another beagle belonging to the Rodgers, Buttercup, also was injured. The dog was discovered the same day with minor lacerations around the neck and shoulder.

The Rodgers took their dogs to Lee’s veterinary clinic, where Anne had to be euthanized due to severe trauma and a lack of skin for grafts.

The incident garnered national media attention, leading to an outpouring of support and monetary rewards, including funds provided by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Birmingham- based Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation.

Roden said the reward money being offered was up to approximately $14,000.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office at 734-0342. Roden is also asking that anyone with machinery in the area inspect the equipment for possible evidence.

Roden said if the act was performed by a person, they could face a Class C felony charge carrying a fine up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

Roden said the department has treated the case as if it were a product of foul play.

“Since the beginning, we’ve operated under the conclusion this was done by human hands. That’s the way we began the investigation. That’s the way we’ve been working on it,” he said.

Roden said he does not regret treating the case as a criminal investigation.

“We wouldn’t want to wait three weeks after we received a pathology report and it indicates it was done by human hands and we lost that time,” he said.

Despite the continuing mystery, Roden said he feels more at ease with the case as a result of the findings. However, he said pet owners in the area should remain cautious.

Janet, unlike the sheriff, said she is angered by the report and remains convinced that someone intentionally injured her dogs.

“The person is still out there,” she said. “If this person is as sick as he probably is, then eventually he’s going to move on to my kid or yours.”