An emaciated male pit bull mix, who could barely walk because its paws had become webbed from lack of use, was rescued Saturday, October 1 in Flushing's Kissena Park.
Regina Massaro, founder of the non-profit Maspeth group known as the Spay Neuter Intervention Project, says they have named the dog John Doe.
The dog is estimated to be about eight years old, but is the size of a three-month-old puppy due to neglect and lack of food. He is recovering at the Howard Beach Animal Clinic, where he is in intensive care.
According to Massaro, the dog was discovered by a man playing basketball at the park. Noting his frail condition, the man rushed him to the nearest pet store, where one of Massaro�s SNIP canisters was located. �They called me and I rushed over,� she said.
The dog weighs about 15 pounds and has a very sweet nature. �He must have been confined because of his paws and he has an eye infection and worms,� she added. Massaro is concerned that the person who abandoned the dog may have other neglected and abused pets. �This dog was either caged his whole life or left tied up.�
Although her organization is not considered a rescue group, she was happy to be of assistance. �But this is costing a lot of money, probably $1,000, and we hope the public will help pay for it,� Massaro said.
Once the dog is healthier, he will go to foster care and eventually be adopted. �He knows he�s okay now,� she said. �He will even be able to walk, although it will be flat-footed.�
Persons wishing to donate to help defray the cost of John Doe�s medical expenses may send contributions to SNIP, P.O. Box 780537, Maspeth, NY 11378. Those interested in adopting the dog should call Massaro at 917-658-4524. Case Updates Ben, the abused pit bull mix found in Flushing, is a new dog now, and has a loving home on Long Island.
In October 2005, the emaciated male dog was discovered by a man playing basketball at Kissena Park. Seeing the dog�s frail condition, the man rushed him to the nearest pet store, where the owners called Regina Massaro, founder of the non-profit Maspeth group known as the Spay Neuter Intervention Project.
The dog weighed 15 pounds and could barely walk because his paws had become webbed due to lack of use. He was the size of a 3-month-old puppy due to neglect and lack of food.
Massaro took the dog to the Howard Beach Animal Clinic, where he was placed in intensive care. After recovering, Ben was fostered in a home in Massapequa, Long Island, but was later discovered to have the parvo virus.
He has now recovered from that and was put up for adoption at the Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center in Huntington, where he was quickly adopted. �Ben is adorable and has a good disposition,� Massaro said.
Because of a story in the Queens Chronicle, Massaro�s group was sent $200 to help support the group�s projects. �We still have a large bill of $900 for Ben�s expenses,� she said.
Aside from being in tip-top shape now and putting on weight, Ben has been microchipped, neutered and had all his shots. The chip is a form of identification if he gets lost in the future.
The dog is estimated to be about 10 months old. Because of the webbed feet, he walks like a duck, which Massaro said adds to his charm. �He was definitely chained. You can see the marks,� she added.
Erin Murnane, a spokesperson for Little Shelter, named the dog Ben �just because he looked like a Ben� and said that a young woman from Commack had adopted him. �She saw his story on the web site and she�s wonderful.�
Murnane called Ben a lucky dog to be adopted by someone who is giving him so much care and attention. �He has a sweater and toys and is taken to the vet when needed. She is very happy with him.�
Massaro�s group, known as SNIP, has rescued 600 dogs. SNIP is dedicated to getting junkyard and inner city dogs spayed and neutered to prevent the birth of more unwanted animals.
In her experience, the owners of these dogs do not get them vaccinated or registered with the city, even though it�s mandated. Her group uses the ASPCA spay and neutering station the first Friday of every month.
Through a grant from animal activist Bob Barker, SNIP bought a specially designed van to transport the animals for the surgery. Persons wishing to help the group may send contributions to SNIP, P.O. Box 780537, Maspeth, NY 11378.
Those interested in adopting from Little Shelter should call 631-368-8770. To see animals there, visit its web site at Littleshelter.com | Source: Zwire - December 15, 2005
Update posted on Dec 19, 2005 - 7:11PM |
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