SAF Rescuses Neglected Dog With Broken Legs

For Immediate Release
Friday, March 4, 2011

When the staff at the Southern Animal Foundation in New Orleans took custody of Tucker, a 4-month-old terrier mix puppy on Tuesday, his owners said they had accidentally backed over him with a car.  An examination by veterinarians at SAF, however, showed that while Tucker indeed had two completely fractured femurs, there was no evidence to support their claim.

What evidence did exist, however, is that Tucker’s two fractured limbs had gone untreated for more than three weeks because the owners said they couldn’t afford veterinary care.

When the case came to the attention of My Heart’s Desire and SAF, the easiest choice would have been to euthanize the puppy.  But because his personality and otherwise good condition make him highly adoptable, SAF staff worked with the Louisiana Veterinary Referral Center to perform surgery on his legs.

“Cases like this are why we exist,” said Anne Bell, executive director of the SAF.  “While we are not by design a free vet clinic, we do handle cases like this all too often. When sick or injured animals can be healed and placed in a good home, we always do the best we can to make it happen.”

So far, Tucker’s care has cost more than $2,000 – funds the SAF has to find in its budget and try to recoup from other sources.  Anyone wishing to support Tucker’s recovery – or the other work of the SAF – can contribute online through the organization’s Facebook page.  Visit www.southernanimalfoundation.org for a direct link to PayPal.  Donations can also be dropped off or mailed to the SAF Clinic at 1823 Magazine St., New Orleans, 70130.

“Our Foundation operates with no government funding, and relies on our paying clients and generous donors to remain open – and to keep saving dogs like Tucker,” Bell said.

For more information about the SAF, visit www.southernanimalfoundation.org or call 504.671.8235.