‘Leopard dog’ was found tethered to fence in Arizona heat. Now, she needs a home
American pit bull terriers aren’t known for having elaborate coats of fur.
But when one was found tethered to a fence beneath the beaming sun in the Arizona heat, her unusual appearance caught the eyes of rescuers.
With decorative spots dyed all over her body, she soon became known as the “leopard dog,” the Arizona Humane Society said in a July 10 news release.
Now, a little over a month after her rescue, the 5-year-old dog — named Rainbow Brite — and her nine pups are looking for a home, the nonprofit said.
The nonprofit said its staff responded to a report of a dog “tethered to a fence in triple digit temperatures with no shelter and no water” on May 29.
When staff arrived, they found Rainbow Brite with her puppies “in direct sun with no water on 133-degree pavement,” the nonprofit said.
“It was also discovered that Rainbow was covered in leopard patterned dye,” the nonprofit said.
She and her pups were heat stressed, according to the nonprofit.
Rainbow’s temperature measured 106 degrees, she was panting heavily and had bright red gums, the nonprofit said.
Staff on scene quickly worked to lower her temperature, giving her water and covering her in wet towels, the nonprofit said.
“Within five minutes, her temperature lowered to 102.5 degrees – a sign of just how overheated she was,” the nonprofit said.
After she was stabilized, Rainbow and her puppies were taken to the nonprofit’s animal hospital, where staff found she was underweight.
“But the whole family was luckily found to be relatively healthy overall,” the nonprofit said.
While she was in the care of a foster family, the nonprofit said “Rainbow gained 20 pounds and the pups continued to grow big and strong.”
After weeks of care, Rainbow and her pups are ready for a new home.
“I’m a sweet pup who just loves attention and meeting new people, it is one of my very favorite things in the whole world,” her profile on the nonprofit’s website says.
As of July 11, Rainbow was still up for adoption through the nonprofit’s South Mountain Campus in Phoenix.
