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Brave 'Jimmy' about on three legs
The six-month-old puppy savagely attacked with an iron bar at the weekend has a new name and a new lease on life after having its right front leg amputated.
HOP-ALONG: The dog attacked by a man with an iron bar at the weekend has lost a leg but gained a name. The bearded collie cross has been dubbed Jimmy by SPCA and had his right-front leg amputated this week.
Waitara vet Steve DeGrey, who performed the amputation on Monday, said the improvement in the bearded collie cross’s condition has been remarkable.
“He doesn’t know he’s only got three legs now so he is still bumping into things,” Dr DeGrey said.
“It was a severe injury and extremely painful. He couldn’t move even with pain relief.”
Staff at the SPCA have dubbed the dog Jimmy and he will need a further two weeks of recovery in foster care before he is strong enough to find a permanent new home.
SPCA area manager Andrea Collins said it will take the puppy some time to get used to the loss of his leg but Jimmy’s fear of people will take longer to heal.
“He has lost his confidence in people so will need an extra-special home to help regain his trust again,” she said.
Mrs Collins said strong deterrents for this type of cruelty are needed and she is pleased with the recent increase in penalties.
Offenders now face up to 12 months in jail and a $50,000 fine for cruelty-to-animal charges.
“If you could have heard the sound of that little pup when he came in, it was just horrendous,” she said.
A 33-year-old man is due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court this week charged with possession of an offensive weapon and ill-treatment of an animal.
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