Gotta Love Dogs: Little Metro

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Little Metro

EMACIATED PUPPY FOUND OUTSIDE BUFFALO VETERINARY CLINIC, RUSHED TO SPCA BY RURAL METRO AMBULANCE REPRESENTATIVES.

By: N Gilbert

PUP'S CONDITION EXTREMELY GUARDED; DONATE TOWARDS HER CARE HERE

Officers of the SPCA Serving Erie County are currently investigating circumstances leading up to the appearance of an emaciated, female pit bull puppy outside Anderson Inner City Animal Hospital in Buffalo Wednesday, November 28.

The shivering puppy, who was wearing a harness, was spotted by drivers of a Rural/Metro Medical Services ambulance. Ambulance drivers approached the animal hospital and told a representative the dog was there. They were informed that the SPCA Serving Erie County had already been contacted and a rescue driver was on her way (the SPCA was, in fact, contacted, and had dispatched a rescue driver who was told an emaciated cat was found near the clinic; the clinic representative who spoke with ambulance drivers was a maintenance employee not authorized to handle animals).

According to Brian Lawson, director of public affairs for Rural/Metro Medical Services, "This was a real team effort. Norine Hoch, EMT Intermediate, and Breanna Horwood, EMT Basic, wrapped the puppy in blankets and hot packs to keep her warm. Since we can’t transport animals in an ambulance and the crew needed to be available to take emergency calls, one of our supervisors, Mike Arquette, took the puppy to the SPCA in his paramedic fly car, one of the marked SUVs.”

Currently, the puppy, dubbed Metro, is in guarded condition. According to SPCA head veterinarian Dr. Helene Chevalier, "This morning, the puppy's temperature is within normal limits. She is brighter, can stand, and is eating well on her controlled diet. We will continue to monitor through bloodwork the functioning of her internal organs. She continues to be supported medically through heating pads, IV fluids, vitamin supplements, and a diet particularly for starvation cases. She is severely emaciated, scoring only a 1 out of 9 body score. Over the weekend, we will attempt to remove support systems to find if she is able to thermal regulate and remain hydrated on her own. We are hopeful."

SPCA animal cruelty investigation officers are currently investigating the circumstances leading up to Metro's emaciated state. Anyone with information on Metro is encouraged to contact SPCA Director of Animal Cruelty Investigations Jeff Eyre, 716-629-3525. The SPCA does accept and respond to anonymous tips.

Keep watching YourSPCA.org for updates on Metro's condition.

TO DONATE TOWARDS METRO'S CARE AT THE SPCA, VISIT OUR YELP FOR HELP DONATION FORM, OR CALL NANCY AT THE SPCA: 716-629-3523.

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Sgt. Stubby: America's 1st Bully Hero!

In response to World War I, members of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard were activated and inducted into the 102nd Infantry Battalion of the 26th "Yankee" Division along with members of Connecticut's other Organized Militia units and numerous volunteers. During their training on the grounds of Yale University prior to deployment, they unexpectedly added a soldier to their company. Found by then-Private John Conroy, Stubby was a brindle patched puppy of unknown descent with a short tail from which he received his name. As the soldiers became familiar with army life, so did Stubby. Stubby became familiar with all of the bugle calls, the drill marching routines, and the routines of life in camp, even learning to give a dog's version of a salute. Stubby would would put his right paw on his right eyebrow when a salute was executed by others around him. Stubby's effect on the soldiers around him as well as his dedication to training and his ability to salute earned him the right to remain in the camp, even though animals were not allowed. Click the picture to be taken to Stubby's homepage!