WASHINGTON — Looking at the photo of the poor pooch who took a porcupine’s quills to the face is a painful experience in itself.
According to reports, three Canadian dogs — Mahalo, Nestah, and Soljah — are recovering after a porcupine attack left them covered in quills.
Mahalo, a pit bull, was pierced in the lungs and heart, and was rushed to the local veterinarian. Now, the dogs’ owner Dennis Mazur, a social worker, is struggling to pay the bill, which is expected to be around $8,000.
Nestah, Mahalo’s brother, was hurt when he took dozens of quills to the face, and Soljah had minor wounds from the quills hitting his mouth.
A friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help the dog owner pay the tab. As of Saturday, the crowd-sourcing campaign has raised more than $15,200.
“These dogs are the love of my dear friend Dennis’ life,” said friend Mike Gerrand. “The veterinarian said if [Mahalo] hadn’t been a pit bull with all that muscle she wouldn’t have survived.” Mahalo is now recovering back at home.
“We never expected the support we have received,” Gerrand says on the GoFundMe page. “Literally from all over the world– animal lovers, friends, family and complete compassionate strangers.”