GREENVILLE, SC……Yesterday we were sent information about Sweet Sparrow, a 5 month old Shepherd Mix that was discarded in someone's yard after being brutally attacked in a dog fight. Greenville County Animal Control went out to pick up Sparrow and brought him back to their facility. He was immediately seen by a vet because his condition was critical. This amazing pup had to have been used as a Bait Dog to have the kind of injuries he has. His head, ears and front legs are covered with bites and tears. The injuries are so bad you can see all of the ligaments and tendons in his leg. This was a vicious attack on an innocent animal.
We immediately said we would take him and sent someone to pick him up to take to our Veterinary Care Facility in Columbia, SC. The Doctors and staff were shocked at what they saw when they removed the bandages and blankets off sweet Sparrow. First the bandages were covered with blood. He had lost a lot of blood before we ever got him. He was not stable and was in critical condition. This poor pup had been to Hell and back. The dog fight had to have happened right before he was discarded based on the freshness of the injuries. I am so glad he was atleast discarded in an area where he would be seen and Animal Control called. Animals in this condition are usually left in the woods to die a horrible death.
Fortunately, we have him now and he is given every possible chance to make it. We did not post him last night because we were not sure if he was going to make it through the night. I am happy to say that Sparrow made it through the night and is doing his best to wag his tail and give everyone kisses. He is in Critical Care right now and will be for the next week. His injuries are quite extensive. He does not have any broken bones but his ligaments and tendons are so damaged that he might have to lose one of his front legs because the Radial Nerve has been injured. That leg is showing neurological damage that is causing him to cup his foot under. We are hoping that time and an anti-inflammatory protocol will reduce the swelling in the leg and take the pressure off the nerve that is damaged.
If we can get Sparrow stabile, he will be sedated so all of the injuries can be accessed and drains put in if needed. Dog bites are not closed until the risk of infection is totally gone. Sparrow could have died last night but he has let us know that he is up for the task of healing. He is having a hard time moving around but is happy with all of the attention. He is a young puppy that should bounce back once we get him the medical care he needs. Right now, he is heavily sedated and resting comfortably which is exactly what he needs to heal. His body was in shock when we received him. Time and rest are his best friends right now. Please, keep this sweet pup in your prayers that the damage to his legs will heal without him losing a leg.
Sparrow is one of the innocent victims of Dog Fighting. It goes on all around us and yet people still act like it doesn't exist. If you know anyone that is doing this or hear rumors of people doing this, call the authorities in your area. Shed much needed LIGHT on the dark secret that is going on in our communities all across America. To sit back and do nothing is just as bad as participating in the act. NO ONE that causes harm to an animal should ever be protected. They are the worst of the worst in our Society and should be treated as such.
PROTECT the INNOCENT not the ABUSER.
