Please read this....
A black lab was dragged behind a car, and now the HSPCA, and the vet treating the dog need donations to help cover her care.
She is doing well - but help is needed!
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Dragged dog 'doing amazing,' two weeks after road injuries in Fort Pierce
By CASSE CARLING
casse.carling@scripps.com
May 18, 2006
FORT PIERCE The black Labrador nudged rubber toys around her cage at Tri-County Animal Hospital on Wednesday, giving little indication of injuries she sustained after being dragged behind her former owner's vehicle two weeks ago.
"Misty's doing amazing," veterinary technician Sheila DiPietro said. "She's a very happy dog."
five-year-old Misty sustained severe road burn May 3 when she was dragged from the 1000 block of North 33rd Street to Orange Avenue where Killick Saintil reportedly untied her on Orange Avenue and left.
Saintil, 51, of the 1100 block of Hemlock Circle, told authorities he forgot the 45-pound dog was tied to a trailer behind his 2003 white Toyota Sienna. After leaving Misty on Orange Avenue, he returned to take her to a veterinary clinic where he said he could not afford to pay for her treatment, Fort Pierce Police reports say.
Two days later, Saintil signed Misty over to the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, which established a fund to defray the dog's medical costs. Misty was taken to Tri-County Animal Hospital for skin-grafting procedures, burn salve and bandages.
Misty's Fund has climbed to nearly $17,000, according to Humane Society spokesman Mike Winikoff. Cost estimates for Misty's immediate care were around $5,000. The fund will also help finance Misty's long-term care and any additional money will go to the shelter's animal emergencies fund, he said.
"We raised much more than what we needed for Misty's immediate care," Winikoff said, "and people kept on giving even with that understanding."
Saintil was issued a mandatory court order appearance for June 13 for animal cruelty and traffic citations for a broken tail light on a trailer and no tag displayed. He received two code violations for animal care and restraint.
An assistant state attorney has been assigned to review the case once the police investigation is complete, according to the State Attorney's Office. The review will determine whether Saintil will face felony animal cruelty charges.
Meanwhile, Misty has endured surgeries for two weeks, but her recovery looks promising if not for glitches like testing positive for heartworm.
"We have to wait to treat heartworm until her surgeries are complete, but she'll pull through that too," DiPietro said.
Recent X-rays revealed exposed bone tissue on the dog's back feet that could lead to several toe amputations, she said.
"Other than that, there's no sign of internal injuries. Her biggest threat now is infection," DiPietro said.
The pooch faces another three or four weeks of recuperation before going into foster care. Foster parents will be selected from a team of screened shelter volunteers equipped to apply ointments and change Misty's bandages, Winikoff said.
"Whoever fosters Misty is going to have to be able to give hours and hours of care," he said.
Presuming a healthy recovery, nearly 40 people are interested in adopting Misty, Winikoff said. He added that shelter Executive Administrator Kim Dean and Tri-County's Dr. Dana Juillerat will screen potential parents in about six weeks to determine the perfect match.
HOW TO HELP
Donation Information: Misty's Fund set up by the Humane Society of St. Lucie County. Donations may be made in several ways: by phone (772) 461-0687, Ext. 226; by mail: Humane Society of St. Lucie County, P.O. Box 3661, Fort Pierce, FL 34948; or online: www.hsslc.org
