In the case of two German Shepherd puppies left to allegedly starve to death, the surviving puppy tested negative for the deadly parvovirus, something the owner, Laci Bailey, claimed was likely the culprit that caused the dogs to become so severely emaciated.

On Sunday, Patrick Jamison, a neighbor to Bailey’s in Burket, took video of the two puppies. He said the puppies were being starved to death and shot the video to show the conditions. (See story) A criminal investigation began late Sunday after Jamison returned to the property and found one of the puppies deceased and the other beginning to consume it.

Libby Flock, a lab technician at the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County where the surviving male puppy, Malinko, is being cared for, told StaceyPageOnline.com Tuesday afternoon that the parvovirus test was negative. Flock added that the puppy was up and eating today and appears to be “happy,” but said no additional information would be provided because the case remains under investigation.

Earlier today, Bailey spoke with StaceyPageOnline.com and said she believed the puppies contracted parvo (See story). When contacted about the AWL test results and asked what else she thought caused the condition of the puppies, Bailey said, “I don’t know, I just know I didn’t starve them.”

A necropsy, which is an autopsy performed on animals, is being performed by a veterinarian to determine the cause of the female German Shepherd’s death. AWL Director Darla McCammon said in a phone interview Monday that it appeared the surviving puppy was in an extreme state of starvation and was severely dehydrated.

Sgt. Chad Hill of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department that is working the case with animal control officer Jerry Clase, said the results of the necropsy will be released when available.

Bailey said she went to the AWL today to try and see Malinko, but shelter staff did not allow it. “I asked if I needed to bring the fluids I had from (my Mastif) that had parvo earlier this year, but they told me it was probably expired,” she added.

She said she also inquired about getting the puppy back, but was told it would not be until after the investigation is completed. When asked if shelter personnel told her she would get the puppy back, Bailey said, “No … I know the pictures and video didn’t look good, but I didn’t starve the dogs to death.”