NATCHEZ &045;&045; Skin and muscle tissue had grown through the heavy chain around the dog’s neck. A five-pound lead pipe casing dangled between her front paws &045;&045; an owner’s ill-conceived notion of how to keep a puppy at home, perhaps.

And yet this gentle-natured black Labrador mix was one of the lucky ones. Someone rescued her.

&uot;We could call her Miracle,&uot; said veterinarian Dr. Shirani Hickman at the Miss-Lou Veterinary Clinic in Concordia Parish.

&uot;I had to remove scar tissue about an inch down, mostly on the back of her neck. It was very infected, and it’s possible there will be a repeat surgery,&uot; Hickman said. &uot;With all of that, she is the sweetest dog. She is about 2 to 3 years old, and her breasts are still full from having puppies.&uot;

Miracle, a name for now, weighed perhaps 35 pounds when she arrived at the clinic just more than a week ago. On Thursday, she had gained to 43 pounds, still underweight, however, with her ribs and backbone showing.

Her scarred neck wrapped with a swath of blue, friendly Miracle wagged her long tail and bounced about the back rooms of the clinic, stopping long enough to eat one of her several meals of the day.

For Pat Cox, a leader of Humane Society volunteers, the plight of Miracle is one of many similar ones animal advocates see throughout the area time and again. Cox credits the kind heart and careful coaxing of Miracle’s rescuer for the happy ending of this story.

And Miracle’s story points to the importance of bringing Mississippi animal cruelty laws into the 21st century, she said.

A bill that would have strengthened the state’s animal cruelty laws passed the Senate but this week died in the House Agriculture Committee. It would have made animal cruelty a felony, punishable by a fine of $1,000 and a possible jail term of six months.

&uot;Right now, the law provides just a slap on the wrist and a very low fine,&uot; said Sen. Bob Dearing of Natchez, who had a role in the Senate bill.

On Thursday, Dearing said he will make one more effort at getting the bill passed, amending House Bill 1130, concerning correction officers and carnal knowledge of offenders,

to include the animal cruelty language. It is a long shot, Dearing said. If an objection is raised as to whether the amendment is germane, he will have to withdraw it. He expects the bill to come before the Senate early next week.

Miracle’s rescuer, asking not to be named, said she was deeply moved by the experience. &uot;I had seen her on Monday near the road, but on Tuesday she was in the road,&uot; she said, describing the rural Adams County area where the young female dog was found last week. &uot;I noticed she was dragging something, and then I saw what she was dragging. It was an indescribable experience to realize what a burden she must have carried for such a long time, and she had the courage to carry on.&uot;

The rescuer stopped to try to get the encumbered dog into her vehicle. &uot;I looked deep into her eyes, her gorgeous amber-colored eyes. I trusted her, and she trusted me. I unwound a wire that held the chain together. That was the only time she whimpered. It must have hurt her. Think of how long it had been there.&uot;

Humane Society board member Ronnie Harper, who also is Adams County district attorney, said he has followed the laws introduced this year in the state Legislature.

If efforts fail during this session, perhaps advocates for the humane treatment of animals should look to a statewide effort.

Meanwhile, some common-sense efforts could reduce animal abuse and neglect. Some of the problems would diminish &uot;if individuals across the county and area would use some judgment in spaying and

neutering and in how they treat their animals,&uot; Harper said.

In 2003, the Humane Society shelter took in more than 2,700 animals. Daily, the shelter houses more than 100 animals, and in the summer that jumps to more than 200.

Miracle likely will continue to improve. Her rescuer will see to it that she has a good home when she is released from the clinic. Searches for her puppies were unsuccessful.

Veterinarian Hickman said people who see neglect or abuse of animals should call someone official. &uot;And then they will bring the animal to us&uot; or to another veterinary clinic in the area. In Natchez, a call to the Humane Society will begin the process. That number is (601) 442-4001. &uot;We recently had a problem in Ridgecrest, and I called the mayor. He called the sheriff,&uot; Hickman said.