***Updated 4/5: Charges dismissed - Dog cruelty charges filed against Carson woman

*Update: A story filed by Denise on April 5 reports that prosecutors dismissed the felony animal cruelty charge against Patricia Bumpers, 48:

Deputy District Attorney Craig Rouviere said the defense presented information that Patricia Bumpers, 48, had tried to seek help for the emaciated dog before she turned her over to the Carson Animal Shelter in august.

..... Rouviere said Bumpers' attorney, Deputy Public Defender Alla Eksler, produced phone records that showed Bumpers had made telephone calls in an effort to get medical attention for angel, and had called animal control for help three days before she received a response.

In addition, Angel remained undiagnosed and untreated at the shelter for about 10 days before she was rescued by (the rescue group Take Me Home Rescue) and taken to a veterinarian, Rouviere said. 

"Our thought was, if the shelter didn't know what was wrong with the dog it was difficult for us to determine that the defendant would have known that," Rouviere said of the decision to dismiss the case.

This is yet another sad Daily Breeze story about a dog. This one suffered and died allegedly for not being treated for diabetes by her owner.

According to Denise Nix's article:

Angel was a walking skeleton when an animal welfare group rescued the brown-and-white dog from the Carson Animal Shelter.

Suffering from diabetes and its side effects, the dog was so skinny that even the veterinarian who oversaw the last 12 days of her life couldn't determine how old she was or her breed.

Angel's owner, Patricia Bumpers, 48, of Carson apparently realized the dog, estimated at 30 pounds underweight, was deathly ill (it's not known if she ever took the dog to a vet for a diagnosis). She surrendered Angel to the Carson shelter, allegedly telling an Animal Control officer that she did not want her 9-year-old daughter to "come home and find her dead in the backyard."

Volunteers from the Santa Monica-based Take Me Home Rescue were alerted when the dog arrived at the shelter and members immediately took Angel out for treatment last August. She had clearly been ill for quite some time and the DA filed a complaint against her former owner.

Last month, Bumpers pleaded not guilty to one count of felony animal cruelty that could send her to prison for up to three years. She is scheduled to return to court on March 22.

(Photo courtesy of Leegie Parker of Take Me Home Rescue)

Sadly, it was too late for Angel. The damage from the disease could not be reversed and after 12 days, she died in her sleep at the veterinarian hospital.

Rescuers said they take comfort in the fact that in her last days, Angel -- described as a friendly dog -- was surrounded by people she could trust.

"For us, it's seeking justice for Angel," Take Me Home volunteer Leegie Parker of Torrance said of the rescue group's plans to closely follow the upcoming court proceedings. "But we're also seeking justice for all the others who never get their day."

*****************

Canine diabetes is a tough disease to treat, but clues that something's wrong are pretty visible early on. 

Some 5 or 6 years ago, my former Australian shepherd Pilgrim was diagnosed with diabetes (symptoms included a sudden and rapid weight loss, a lack of appetite, lethargy, and drinking and urinating more than usual). 

After an initial three-day hospitalization to stabilize him, Pilgrim did well for 18 months on twice-daily insulin shots at home. His life was really quite normal and he felt good, although it required vigilance on my part to feed and medicate him every day on a very precise schedule.

Complications ultimately set in and I had him put down. He was 8 years old. 

But we were lucky. Pilgrim had a pretty good run, considering. Canine diabetes is not always successfully treated. The condition typically comes with many complications, big and small, and it will result in a shortened life span.

And I can tell you from personal experience that the treatment, monitoring, frequent vet trips and medications can add up to be quite expensive as well.

If a dog is not responding well to the insulin treatments -- or if finances prevent an owner from going down the road of long-term treatment -- euthanasia is the kinder course to take.

Regrettably, Angel was given neither of those options.

R.I.P., Angel.