A Doctor Left Her Dog Trapped in a Storage Bin and Moved to Florida—Now the Public Wants Justice
It started as just another day on the job for a group of cleaners in Chicago. They arrived at a rental unit in Lincoln Park, expecting to tidy up after an eviction. But what they discovered in the bathroom stopped them cold.
Inside a plastic storage bin—with the lid snapped shut and only a small hole for air—was a severely neglected dog. Barely alive, covered in matted fur, sores, and urine burns, the small black Portuguese Water Dog named Betty had been left to die.
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Rescuers believe Betty survived by the sheer force of will—and by eating her own feces. She was emaciated, weak, and in critical condition when she was rushed to an animal hospital by the stunned cleaning crew. The Hinsdale Humane Society, who helped save her, said she could only breathe through the tiny hole in the lid of the bin.
“She’s a survivor,” the group said. “We don’t know why anyone would do this to another living being, but Betty deserves better—and from now on, she will get better.”
The person responsible? A pediatrician.
Dr. Anita Damodaran, 38, had been evicted from the apartment shortly before Betty was found. After fleeing to Florida, she was arrested in Tampa on December 10 and extradited to Illinois. She now faces aggravated animal cruelty charges. Yet despite the disturbing allegations, a Cook County judge denied the request to hold her in jail before trial. She was released under curfew and ordered to stay in the state.
Betty, meanwhile, has made a remarkable recovery. Thanks to the care of rescue teams and a new loving family, she’s finally safe.
But questions remain: If someone is capable of this kind of cruelty to a defenseless dog, how can they be trusted to care for children?
Damodaran is still licensed to practice medicine in both Illinois and Florida. Advocates are now calling on both state medical boards to investigate—and revoke—her license.
Sign the petition to demand the Illinois and Florida medical boards review Dr. Damodaran’s license to protect children and animals from further harm.
This isn’t just about Betty. It’s about sending a message that cruelty has consequences.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- “Rotting on the Porch”: Over 30 Animals Rescued, Public Demands Lifetime Ban & Justice
- Over 50 Animals Rescued From Neglect—Now the Public Demands Justice
- China’s People Say “No” to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival: Sign Petition to End This Cruelty for Good
- Ohio Man Tried to Strangle His Elderly Dog to Avoid Euthanasia Fee—Now the Public Demands Justice for Tinkerbell
- Demand Justice for Dogs Left to Starve by Heartless Owners
