A Pelham man is facing charges of animal cruelty after severely injuring his dog, Freeze, while attempting to groom him with sheep shears. The incident, which occurred on August 1, was reported by Paige Burnett, who received a disturbing video call from a friend.
During the call, Burnett’s friend described how Edgar Woods had harmed his dog, leaving blood scattered throughout the home. “She let the dog in, and there was a mess everywhere. She put the dog in its crate, where he was profusely bleeding. I thought he was going to bleed out right there,” Burnett recalled. Alarmed, she ended the call and contacted the police.
Responding officers worked to stabilize the injured dog, with one reportedly having some veterinary technician experience. “I believe one of the police officers bound his leg. Otherwise, he would have bled out,” Burnett stated.
Burnett and her friend rushed Freeze to an emergency veterinary clinic. “I was afraid he was going to lose his leg. He lost half his ear, and the gashes on his body were deep, extending through the muscle,” she said.
Edgar Woods appeared in Municipal Court on Tuesday, where his case was not resolved, but he was ordered to pay restitution for Freeze’s veterinary bills. Burnett expressed frustration, stating, “I don’t think it’s enough. He needs jail time for what he did.”
The veterinary expenses have reached approximately $20,000 as efforts continue to save the dog’s leg. Once he recovers, Freeze will not return to Woods; he will be made available for adoption at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.
