A 2 -year -old Belgian Malinois named Eagle, who suffered from a potentially fatal legs infection caused by alleged negligence, is convalescence after a timely rescue of San Diego County Animal Services last month, announced this week of managers .
The surgery that removed the right rear leg of the dog – which was originally riddled with necrosis and showing underlying bones – saved the life of the animal just in time. And now, the owner, a Campo man, faces charges of animal negligence, said the director of animal services, Vaughn Maurice on Thursday.
Mauritius did not appoint the owner, saying that even if the district prosecutor’s office charged him, Animal Services still awaits an arrest warrant against the court.
“We regularly have cases that we investigate who do not increase the level of negligence for crime,” said Maurice. “But if the case is really obvious, and we can really say that the individual has no respect for the animal, then we really go after this individual, that he will comply.”
On January 6, the lieutenant of Natalie Harrington animal services was sent to a house on Morena View Drive near Oak Drive after the department received a report from the resident who said he thought that one of his dogs was poisoned, said Maurice.
When Harrington arrived, she found no evidence that the animal was poisoned. But what drew his attention during the call was another dog home with a serious injury that needed strong help, she said.
“She suffered so much that it was really difficult for her to interact with people and really trust people,” said Harrington.
The owner said to the lieutenant that it was “just a painful leg,” said Maurice, but Harrington disagreed, insisting that he takes the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Harrington gave the dog owner an official notification and told him that she would be back to check Eagle. Upon her return three days later, she learned that the owner had ignored the order and grabbed the Aminal.
Eagle was immediately taken to a veterinarian, who said that if the dog’s leg was not amputated quickly, the infection would become fatal. It has been determined that laser surgery would be the best option to save Eagle’s life but would be expensive.
Even thus, the ministry wanted to give Eagle a chance to fight, so he turned to his spirits’ veterinary medical funds, a permanent fund founded with the support of local residents in 2008 which, for almost two decades, Helped animals that need specialized care to receive help.
“We may have been able to do it internally … But it would have been a much longer and more difficult procedure, with a much longer recovery time. She may not have been able to do it, “said Maurice. “You could say that the spiritual fund has saved Eagle’s life.”
During the month following surgery, officials said that animal health and non -fiduciary behavior completely turned.
“She was able to lower this level of pain, and she is super nice now, we are able to pet and walk it,” said Harrington. A video published by the agency shows the dog now on three legs playing with toys, flowing in a pen and sitting joyfully on Harrington’s lap.
“If you donate to our fund, you know that money will help animals because that’s why that’s it,” said Maurice.
Animal services seized 194 animals in 2023 and 298 others last year.
“Several times, we tell someone and let him know what is the problem, that he must bring his animal to a veterinarian, and they generally do it,” said Maurice. “But when they don’t do that, then we will continue all the legal paths.”
If its owner is found guilty, Eagle will continue her rehabilitation with animal services until it is ready to go up for adoption, said Maurice.
For more information on how to make a donation to the department, visit sddac.com/content/sdc/das.html.
California Daily Newspapers
