Casper's Kitchen helps feed hungry pets

TAMPA - Even more than a year later - the pictures of Casper's weak and deteriorating body are difficult to look at. They show his frail body, nothing but skin and bones.

"I think this county is over people abusing their animals," said Sherry Silk, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Humane Society.

Hillsborough Animal Services rescued Casper in November of 2008 from the home of Aixa Rodriguez and Wilmer Hernandez. The boxer was found emaciated after he was nearly starved to death.

Casper now has a new loving home and the former owners were found guilty of felony animal cruelty charges.

"We just want to make sure that no dog or no cat will go hungry in Hillsborough County because what happened to Casper is inexcusable," said Silk.

However, this tragic case brought some positive news.  It's bringing a face to starving and abused animals -- a problem the Tampa Bay Humane Society says they see too often.

"We have renamed our food assistance program Casper's Cupboard so that the public will always have a place to go if they've lost their job or do not have money to feed their pets.  They can come here for free and get a bag of dog or cat food," said Silk.

The bins are fully stocked with free pet food for families that are struggling.

"A lot of people are having a tough time and the economy is really bad now and I think it's just a great thing that they are able to come here and shouldn't feel bad coming here because we are here to help," said T.J. Sill, the Kennel Supervisor at the Humane Society.

Casper's former owners will be sentenced by a judge Friday morning -- a moment many local animal activists are anticipating.

"This is not acceptable for people to do that and if you do it and get caught - you are going to be in some serious trouble," said Silk.

They're hoping for a harsh punishment with some jail time. They also want a sentence that sends a message to others.