ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Community members across St. Pete are calling for "Justice for Lacey."
Two weeks ago, the lab-pit mix was found in the Oakwood Gardens neighborhood of St. Petersburg with wounds that indicate she was a victim of dog fighting.
Today, Lacey is still recovering with the help of the non-profit No Dog Forgotten.
"She surprisingly learned to trust very quickly," Vicki Izquierdo, founder of No Dog Forgotten, said. "She's super happy, super bubbly, a happy-go-lucky little girl."
When she was first found, Izquierdo said veterinarians were unsure whether she would survive the night.
"She had bite marks, both old and new. She had massive wounds behind her neck and by her ears," Izquierdo explained. She also said maggots had contaminated the wounds.
Izquierdo said her non-profit, which relies on community donations, has spent upwards of $6,000 on her recovery.
Based on her injuries, Izquierdo suspects Lacey was used as a "bait dog" for dog fighting.
"Because of her sweet personality, she's the typical type of dog that will be used, for lack of better words, as 'bait' to teach other dogs how to dog fight," she added.
Lacey's recovery journey is captivating St. Pete locals online, including animal-rights activist Louise Kahle.
With Lacey as their "poster pup," Kahle and others are pushing their neighbors to call local legislators, urging animal cruelty laws to be strengthened.
"I think we have to adopt a better mindset on animal rights, animal law, and not just see them as by-products," Kahle said.
Currently, dog fighting is a 3rd-degree felony in Florida with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
"Third is a slap, they're laughing," Kahle complained.
She said a first-degree felony wouldn't go far enough. "I think what is extreme is what happens to those dogs," she added.
If you have a tip about suspected dog fighting in Pinellas County, you're urged to contact Animal Services.
If you're looking to support Lacey through her recovery, you can find more information about donating to No Dog Forgotten by clicking here.