Once-neglected dog ‘back on her feet’ after amputation, California officials say
A once-neglected dog who needed her leg amputated is searching for a new home after her owner was criminally charged, California prosecutors said.
Eagle is ready for a new family after healing from a severe leg injury that was left untreated, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office said in a June 17 news release.
“Thanks to help from the community and the dedication of our Animal Services officers and staff, animals like Eagle get the care they need and the opportunity for a new start with a loving family,” Animal Services Director Vaughn Maurice said in a San Diego County news release.
Injured dog found
As Lt. Natalie Harrington with San Diego County Animal Services was responding to a call in Campo, she found a dog “with a severely injured leg,” county officials said.
“The dog’s leg had an open wound with exposed bone,” prosecutors said.
The dog’s owner “was uncooperative in getting Eagle veterinary care or surrendering her,” county officials said in a February news release.
To save the dog, “a young female Belgian Malinois,” Harrington got a warrant to seize it, county officials said.
‘Back on her feet’
Eagle was “taken to Animal Services for treatment with a veterinarian,” according to officials.
Given the severity of her injury “and to protect Eagle’s health,” veterinary staff decided to amputate her leg, officials said.
Eagle underwent a nearly $3,000 treatment, wherein a specialist used “advanced tools, including laser technology, to perform the surgery and speed recovery,” officials said.
Within three days, “Eagle was back on her feet,” officials said.
“Her behavior has completely turned around,” Harrington said in a video news release. “We think that she was just in so much pain that it was difficult for her to be able to interact with people and really trust people.”
With her pain levels down, she started letting people pet and walk her, according to Harrington.
“She’s just really turned around since she was able to get the care that was much needed,” Harrington said.
Now, after months of healing, Eagle is ready for a new home, officials said.
Owner charged
Eagle’s former owner has been charged with one felony count of animal abuse and neglect, prosecutors said.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, prosecutors said.
McClatchy News was unable to immediately reach an attorney representing the man on June 18.
If convicted as charged, prosecutors said the Eagle’s former owner could face “a sentencing range of probation up to three years in custody.”
Campo is about a 60-mile drive southeast from San Diego.
