Letters and e-mails in support of a neglected dog have been sent to Minister of the Environment Marc Bean amid an outpouring of public concern over the case.The SPCA hopes to meet Permanent Secretary to the Ministry Derrick Binns over the fate of Venom the pit bull in the near future.Earlier this week, the charity accused Government animal wardens of failing to do their jobs and “showing no interest” in the case of a man accused of cruelty to Venom.Kurt Dowling was cleared at Magistrates’ Court on Monday of causing suffering to the unlicensed dog, who was found starving to death and chained up outside with a puncture wound to his head.Mr Dowling, 30, from Farm Lane, Warwick, denied owning Venom and said it was not his yard that the creature was found in. He told the court he responded to SPCA notices about the dog’s neglected condition by seeking veterinary treatment for him.The trial heard evidence that a man named Keijon Steede once held a licence to keep the pit bull, but that licence expired on January 31, 2010.Venom was seized from the yard, believed by Mr Dowling to belong to Mr Steede’s girlfriend, by Government animal wardens on January 21, 2011, due to being unlicensed. The wardens were aware the SPCA had been investigating the cruelty allegations for months.However, Mr Dowling was allowed by Government wardens to get a new licence for the dog in his name within hours of the seizure. The charity then stepped in to get a court warrant allowing them to keep Venom in their care since he was the subject of a cruelty investigation.Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said there was no doubt the animal suffered, but prosecutors failed to prove Mr Dowling was responsible as there had not been a “proper and full investigation” into the ownership issue.A question mark remains over Venom’s future following the conclusion of the court case. Mr Dowling’s licence has expired for the dog but he indicated through his lawyer that he wants him back. The Ministry of the Environment said in a statement that the case should never have been brought to court and the dog must now be “returned to its lawful owner immediately”.The SPCA wants the 12-year-old creature to be able to live out the remainder of his days at their Paget kennels where he is now a healthy weight and in better health (see separate story.)The story prompted concerned members of the public, in Bermuda and abroad to write to the Minister and share their correspondence with this newspaper. Suzanne Ship, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada told Mr Bean that Venom’s story “made me sick to my stomach”.She wrote: “The SPCA request that you, Mr Bean, as the Minister of Environment, personally review this situation and intervene regarding the future welfare of this particular animal, before the dog is returned to the person who claims ownership of the dog but claims no responsibility for its condition as do I.”She added: “I have just recently been following this case and would like to see a positive outcome for this helpless canine who, thanks to the Bermuda SPCA, has a chance for a second chance and to make a full recovery. It is my hope that the decision on Venom’s welfare is given to the Bermuda SPCA, who are actually taking responsibility in the recovery and the health of this animal over the last year.”A letter writer who signed their name DR inquired of the Minister how it was legally possible for Mr Dowling to get the licence for Venom amid the cruelty concerns. The writer added: “Venom should not be returned to Mr Dowling or Mr Steede. I would have thought there was no question of this, but my understanding from The Royal Gazette article is that this matter lies in your hands.”Jenny Mayo wrote to the Minister: “The SPCA indicated in their comments to The Royal Gazette that they hope that the Ministry of Environment will review this case before the dog is returned to the person who claims ownership of the dog but claims no responsibility for its condition. I am contacting you to request that you personally review this situation and intervene regarding the future welfare of this animal. It is my hope that the decision on his welfare is given to the SPCA, who are actually responsible for the recovery of the health of this animal.”Kim McKee wrote to the Minister: “This animal has been given a second chance at life and deserves to go to a caring family that will love and look after him. Whoever was responsible for Venom did not care for his well being and should not be allowed to obtain custody of him.”The Royal Gazette invited Mr Bean and Dr Binns to comment on the concerns raised by the members of the public, but no response was forthcoming by press time.