Woman Won't Face Neglect Charges After Puppy Nearly Cut In Half

EDINBURGH, Ind. -- A woman who admitted to dropping her dog off at an animal shelter when it was suffering from a gaping wound will not be charged with neglect, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Dana Jones, 35, was arrested days after she dropped off the 7-month-old mixed-breed puppy -- now called Benjamin -- at the Johnson County Animal Shelter June 29, claiming she had found it wandering near Edinburgh, police said. Jones later admitted she was the owner of the dog.

Prosecutors Wednesday dropped the neglect charge against Jones, saying a change in the definition of the term neglect prevented them from proceeding, 6News' Ben Morriston reported. Jones could still be charged with false informing, prosecutors said.

A gaping wound around the puppy's hindquarters, which nearly sliced the dog in half, required dozens of stitches. Police said they believe a leather harness may have been on the puppy since birth, but Jones said the injury was caused by the dog getting tangled in a chain.

Veterinarians at the Johnson County Animal Shelter said Benjamin is expected to make a full recovery and will be put up for adoption once he is healthy enough.