ACTON, MA— A 12-week old puppy is receiving treatment at the MSPCA-Angell’s animal care and adoption center in Boston with injuries so severe that she may never recover, and law enforcement authorities are desperate to find and hold accountable those responsible for her condition.
The puppy was found cowering alongside a trail on the evening of Nov. 15 by a good Samaritan who was walking her own dog in the woods in Acton, MA. The puppy was wagging her tail but was unable to walk, and her small body was covered in open wounds.
The good Samaritan—whose identity has not been released—immediately alerted the police and animal control, and drove the puppy to the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.
The Acton Police Dept. and the MSPCA-Angell have announced a combined $1,000 reward for information leading to an animal cruelty conviction. Anyone with information is urged to call either the Acton Police Department at 978-929-7711 or the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement Department at 800-628-5808.
The Angell veterinary team immediately started the puppy on pain medicine and IV fluids to stabilize her, before she was transferred to the MSPCA’s adoption center clinic for continued care.
Suspected Chemical Burns, Bite Wounds and a Leg Requiring Amputation
“Ramona,” as she has since been named, suffered what appear to be severe chemical burns over 40 percent of her body. The wounds are so serious that they require weekly debridement to remove dead tissue, so as to improve the odds that remaining skin can heal.
“Not only is she dealing with these horrendous skin wounds, but she also has a broken left front elbow, which started to heal improperly, so we may need to amputate that leg,” said Dr. Rebecca Fellman, the MSPCA’s shelter veterinarian.
In addition to her skin wounds and broken leg, Ramona has what appear to be bite wounds to her back.
Ramona’s Long Road to Recovery
Ramona is expected to stay at the MSPCA for the next four months, where she will undergo weekly debridement procedures in an effort to heal her skin, as well as further assessments of her leg, and a state-mandated four-month quarantine due to the suspected bite wounds of unknown origin. Most of her care will focus on keeping her comfortable from day to day.
The MSPCA is raising funds to offset the cost of the surgeries and after-care for Ramona, which is expected to exceed $4,000. Anyone who wishes to contribute can do so via www.mspca.org/helpramona.
“Obviously we very much hope we can get to the stage where we place her into an adoptive home because, after all she’s been through, she deserves that more than anything,” said Dr. Fellman.
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