Hollywood star helps give abused dog new home

By Eyewitness News staff

Story Created: May 4, 2010 at 12:55 PM PDT Story Updated: May 4, 2010 at 6:47 PM PDT

Actress Katherine Heigl discusses the abuse of a Bakersfield dog during a news conference Tuesday in Hollywood.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- The dog found hog-tied in a muddy field and left for dead will get a new home Wednesday.

Kern County Animal Control director Guy Shaw joined actress Katherine Heigl and other animal advocates at a press conference Tuesday in Hollywood to announce that the male pit bull will find a new home with the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation.

The dog was named England after one of the animal control officers, Kristen England, who rescued him April 22 in the area of Sandrini Road and Highway 99 south of Bakersfield.

James Worley, 52, of Bakersfield, has been arrested and faces a possible charge of felony animal cruelty. Arraignment is pending and could happen later this week.

The Heigl Foundation, which was co-founded by Nancy and Katherine Heigl, will be working with Last Chance for Animals to offer rewards to those who help bring animal abusers to justice. LCA plans to be at Worley's arraignment.

"The thing is that you don't want to give up on these animals," Katherine Heigl said. "Just because they've been through what they've been though doesn't mean that they can't have an enjoyable, happy, loving life."