Abused Dog Euthanized

A dog reported to have been beaten by a Des Plaines man in June 2012 has been euthanized due to health conditions its adoptive owner said were likely caused by the abuse.

, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and prohibited from owning animals for 20 years in August 2012 after police stated he was seen punching one of his dogs in front of his residence in June 2012.

The dog Wesolaski was suspected of punching, Teddy, a Lhasa Apso, was adopted by Evelyn Craig, of Arlington Heights. Craig said the dog was euthanized in January because it was suffering from pain. During the last few months of his life, the dog did not get up as much, Craig said.

“He couldn’t jump up on the bed anymore, and he got to where he didn’t even want to get up to go outside,” Craig said.

She suspected Teddy might have arthritis, Craig said.

“So I took him to my vet for an examination, and it turns out he had an enlarged spleen and an enlarged liver, probably from being kicked, I would think,” Craig said.

The veterinarian said she did not know what caused the enlarged organs, Craig said. Based on the animal’s behavior, Craig said she suspected people abused the Lhasa Apso.

“Teddy was a really good dog, but he kind of went after people’s feet a lot, so I think he was kicked a lot,” Craig said.

Teddy was 12 or 13 years old, and Craig said she was grateful for the six to seven months she had him.

“He had some good times with us,” Craig said.

Police seized three dogs from Wesolaski. Craig adopted Teddy and another one of the dogs, Gizmo, a three-year-old Shih Tzu. Craig said Gizmo was wonderful.

“He’s rambunctious and he loves to play and run around,” Craig said. “He’s having a great time out in the snow now chasing his little tennis balls that are getting lost in the snow.”