MANASSAS, Va. – A nearly 4-month-old border-collie mix is recovering from surgery after the pup plunged two stories to the ground — but no one’s been charged.
“He probably was thrown off a two-story balcony. And then somebody heard it and rescued him,” says Beate Begley, animal rescue manager with the Prince William County Animal Shelter. Begley says the abuse happened in Fredericksburg, Va., late last week and the pup was brought to the Prince William shelter on Friday, Aug., 23.
No one is being held accountable for the abuse of the puppy, named Dexter by shelter employees, since no witnesses have come forward. Animal control is investigating what led to Dexter’s injuries but believe he was thrown. The case is still open.
“Nobody really saw it, but everybody heard the thump it made,” Begley says.
Begley says they couldn’t turn the young puppy away. He needed surgery and they had to help him. When Dexter’s little body slammed to the ground, his back leg broke in four places and had to be pinned together.
At the shelter, Dexter — still an excited pup — wagged his tail as it audibly banged against the side of his kennel. Begley gingerly helped Dexter from his crate since his back leg is in a full cast. He wears a cone around his neck to keep him from chewing on his leg.
After finally getting comfortable, Dexter almost purrs as Begley pets him.
The shelter has helped other animals that would otherwise be euthanized because of their injuries and the high cost of surgery.
However, Begley says there isn’t money or a budget to pay the vet bills associated with the animals’ surgeries. The shelter, like many shelters, are kept running with the help of volunteers.
“He deserves another chance,” she says.
In six weeks, Dexter’s cast comes off and the shelter hopes the outcome for his leg will be good.
“He’s a sweetheart, he’s up for adoption and he’s looking for his forever home,” Begley says.
Begley says the shelter is working to raise funds to cover the cost of Dexter’s surgical bills. According to the Prince William County Facebook page, Dexter’s surgery cost $2,600. The Prince William Humane Society has set up the “PAWS fund” for Dexter and for other abused animals like him who are homeless and need help.
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