By Ashley Ritchie and Winston Whitehurst

Bloody wounds all over her body, mange so bad her skin is raw; she's a 25-pound German Shepherd mix that should weigh twice that.

"Precious" is the latest face of animal cruelty in the Central Valley.

"Our dispatch received a call that there was a dog with a noose around its neck out in an orchard. I was the officer that responded to that call," Amy Toler, Animal Service Officer, said.

When Officer Toler arrived at the pistachio orchards, she saw "Precious" against a tree.

She says in all of her time as an animal service officer, this is probably the worst case she's ever seen.

"I've seen a lot of dogs that have this type of mange and that are in as bad a condition. But having a noose around your neck that tight and causing as much swelling and bleeding, it's pretty heinous," Toler said.

The noose wrapped around "Precious'" neck was so tight it left bloody indentions.

"This should've been on a Chihuahua, but on a German Shepherd, this would totally constrict any air way," Shelter Director Kirsten Gross said.

Shelter officials suspect "Precious" had been left hanging in the orchard for days. But eventually was able to free herself with what little strength she had left.

"Normally this would've taken just a few hours for an animal to die from that. She was extremely swollen. Her head was two to three times its normal size. Any lesser dog would've survived out there. But 'Precious', she's a survivor," Gross said.

And that seems to be the common theme; that in the face of what should have killed her, this is no ordinary dog.

"She's real lethargic still. She's still in a lot of pain and discomfort, a lot of infection. But she's a fighter, we can see that. She's a survivor," Gross said.

"I named her 'Precious' 'cause her life is precious to us here, to a lot of people. It may not have been to the person who did this to her. But she is precious," Toler said.

The wounds will take time to heal and the hair won't come back right away.

But the hope is this dog that defied the odds will become a "precious" reminder that animal cruelty hurts.

Shelter officials say there's a $1,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the person who did this to "Precious".

Right now, they say, "Precious" is eating well, and receiving medication for her mange and infections.

They're keeping their fingers crossed that eventually they'll be able to adopt her out to what she deserves: a loving home.

Shelter officials also say one of their biggest concerns is that a person who is willing to do this to an animal may be capable of hurting people in the same way.

Donations to help Precious and other shelter animals in need can be mailed to the non-profit group at PO Box 923, Madera.

If you'd like more information, you can call 675-7891.