I Got You, Babe: Earless Sunny + Cher Reunite

The puppies with problems reunited on Tuesday in San Diego.

Sunny and Cher were both found last month with their ears sliced off. Sunny was found in Mission Valley, but Cher was discovered in Tijuana. Officials at the San Diego County of Animal Services believe the dogs, which are now thought to be around a couple months old, are littermates.

Officials said Tuesday they hope the dogs are adopted before the holidays. San Diego County Department of Animal Services Lt. Dan DeSousa talked on Tuesday about placing the dogs.

"We've got over a hundred applications for both of these dogs, so after it shuts down on Saturday evening, we're going to start going through them," DeSousa said.
 
Cher was being cared for at a Tijuana veterinary hospital until last week, when a worker from that facility brought her over the border in the hopes that Cher could "become a part of the adoption process" already under way for her littermate, which animal-services workers had taken to calling Sunny.

"This has changed the focus of the investigation," said Animal Control Lt. Kalani Hudson in a statement issued Wednesday, referring to a criminal probe that began when Sunny was found in November. "It appears the mutilations to the puppies' ears occurred in Mexico, and we have no authority to pursue an investigation if the crime occurs outside the United States. Furthermore, this type of mutilation may not even be a crime in Mexico."

Officials at the San Diego County Department of Animal Services are accepting adoption applications for the Labrador/retriever mix puppies. Hopefuls will have to have their applications in by the close of business on Dec. 18.

Adoption applications are available at http://www.sddac.com (under "Adoptions" and "Dog Adoption"). Applications can be printed and dropped off at any of the three county animal shelters locations, mailed to the Department of Animal Services at 5480 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110 (Attn: "Sunny or Cher Adoption" or faxed to 619-767-2706.

Sunny was found in a Dumpster in the Mission Valley Target parking lot.

During surgery, animal caregivers also found blood in the dog's lungs, so they suspect the puppy sustained some other abuse, possibly blunt force trauma, prior to the incident in which his ears were cut off.

It has taken Sunny several weeks to recuperate from surgery and become re-socialized, officials said. They said Tuesday that he is "fine." They said Cher's "prognosis is excellent."

During Sunny's initial recovery, Sunny was cared for in foster care.

"With a lot of special care and a lot of loving, Sunny can go ahead and be a well-adjusted dog and be a great companion to somebody," Kalani said after he was found.

Veterinarians suspect the puppy’s ears were probably cut off with either a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, Animal Control Lt. Daniel DeSousa said after Sunny was found.

Patricia Garcia and her family found the puppy as they left the Target store in Mission Valley. The family heard whimpering coming from a nearby Dumpster and found the 1-month-old puppy inside.

Sunny's medical care was covered by the department's Spirit Fund, which helps the department care for animals with special medical needs. If you would like to donate to the fund, contact the department of animal services.
 

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