Justice has been served to the man in Charleston, South Carolina who taped his dog’s mouth shut with electrical tape in 2015.

Caitlyn the Dog, Facebook
The man, William Leonard Dodson, 42, claimed the dog had been barking too much and subsequently wrapped tape nine times around her muzzle. It was wrapped so tightly that her tongue stuck out and she was unable to eat or drink. Dodson was sentenced to five years in prison for felony animal abuse. And he has recently been denied parole.
The dog, a 2-year-old Staffordshire mix renamed Caitlyn, suffered greatly beyond the inability to open her mouth while it was bound shut; she ended up losing part of her tongue, suffered damage to her cheeks, and had to undergo multiple surgeries. She still suffers anxiety and stress from the trauma.
Police found Caitlyn two years ago, roaming the streets after breaking free from a chain outside Dodson’s home with her mouth taped shut. After finding more electrical tape near a crate at his house, officials were able to begin the prosecution against Dodson.
Caitlyn’s story went viral when the Charleston Animal Society, who were present at the hearing, encouraged their Facebook followers, numbering over 250,000, to comment their opinions to the court deciding Dodson’s sentence. The people did not hesitate to voice their thoughts, crashing court’s website.
Since the incident, Caitlyn has become the symbol of stopping animal abuse in the state. The Charleston Animal Society recently published a book entitled Caitlyn — America’s Dog, which tells her incredible story. All proceeds go toward ending animal abuse and helping those who have suffered from it.
While animal cruelty laws are still in need of improvement in South Carolina, Caitlyn’s story represents a victory for animals throughout the state. Dodson was taken off the streets, and more efforts are underway to ensure horrible incidents like this come to a halt.
Caitlyn is still in the process of healing, but now in her foster home, she is free to eat, drink, and bark as much as she pleases.
Thank God! Mr. Dodson deserves to serve his full sentence! Thanks to all who saved Caitlyn! I’m happy she is now experiencing love!
Best news ever!!!!! We don’t want him or anyone else who would do that to an animal out of prison where he could do further harm to another!
Thank God! Mr. Dodson deserves to serve his full sentence! Thanks to all who saved Caitlyn! I’m happy she is now experiencing love!
What an idiot this owner was! Dogs bark – that’s what they do! 5 YEARS IS NOT NEARLY LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO BE BEHIND BARS! Loved the comment about the warden leaving a rope in his cell “accidentally”! Perhaps they could also accidentialy tape his mouth shut by wrapping duct tape around it at least 9 times!
I dont think 5 years is enough time, I also wonder when he gets out in five years if there will be monitoring going on? Will the police go by where ever he is living and make sure he does not own pets? This is great justice for now but what about later? Maybe the wardens could just happen to put a rope in his cell…
Justice PREVAILS
Great news!
Now we need to make sure ALL animal abuses have the same consideration.
Thank God … keep him there. He doesn’t deserve to walk free.
Thank God this moron was denied bail. He does not deserve a life whatsoever.
I hope and pray that anyone who harms a dog or any animal suffers badly for the rest of their lives and then burn in hell for eternity. Sick of people ill-treating animals.
Thank God Kaitlyn is doing well today — as for her tormentor-idiot Dodson, what will it take for him to learn the lesson of NEVER abusing animals? — I am proud of Charleston for taking proper action against this criminal-abuser — CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!
Everybody prayers were answered!!
Thank God !!!
An animal that finally got justice it’s about dam time and many of the other animals deserve the same come on people lets make it happen. Animals are not asked to be born they are here because of our stupidity of not having them neutered or spayed. They did not asked to begin their life of cruelty. Lets stop it by punishing these abusers to the fullest extent of the law.
God bless you!!!! <3
Parole? They could ever CONSIDER it?
HORRAY!!!!! Our hope is that the abuser learns about love, tolerance and acceptance for / from all creatures. Our hopes are with this person. It may take 5 years and could be the best five years of learning of this persons life. LOVE TO ALL.
That is wonderful news!!
Sorry to say this….But I Stongly believe in a more extinct remedy to these issues that are affecting the way we interact with our treasured sentient beings. … we bring back the “Stocks” and sure as shooting a 50cal at a close target this will STOP THESE ABUSES IN THEIR TRACKS. We place these offenders who are actually guilty and not of an accident of a form of abuse and load them into the stocks “With a LARGE SIGN” noting their abuse upon it and let the public rein over the punishment for one FULL Week… if they survive, they spend the rest of their sentice behind bars, but I would hazard a guess many wouldn’t make the week…. just a thought.
justice served. …..tet i think 7yrs would of been more appropriate!
He deserved more years in jail and never owning another animal for the rest of his life. I hope that an animal lover inmate will tape up his mouth to him and glue him to his bed so he cant stand eat or speak….
I am glad that Caytlin is living the life she deserves.
YES‼️‼️ Thank you Jesus it’s about time Justice is served.