Help Crash get back on his feet

FREEPORT - A crew of medical professionals is volunteering their time and resources to help aid in the recovery of a young patient brought in for medical treatment a little more than a week ago after being dragged behind a pickup truck.

On Feb. 22, passersby found Crash - a four-month-old Black Mouth Cur with soulful brown eyes, floppy brown ears and a patch of white fur streaking down his chest - lying at the side of the road in bad condition.

Crash was brought to Alaqua Animal Refuge, where he is now stabilized and on the long road to recovery.

Bethany Jordan, who has served as Alaqua's medical coordinator for the last six months, said she believes someone tied him in the bed of a truck, but he jumped out and was dragged as it continued down the road.

Although no bones were broken, "he was in pretty poor condition," including damaged front legs and toenails that had been grinded into the pads of his feet, she said.

"I think he was trying to run and keep up with the vehicle with his front paws, and his back legs were dragged behind ... He has bone exposed at the tops of both feet," she said.

"You'd think he would not be a really sweet puppy after going through something like that, but he's just a love," she added.

Crash's recovery and rehabilitation is expected to be long and laborious, and his medical care costs about $40 each day.

"He needs very intense bandage changes, daily topical therapy and, of course, antibiotics throughout his time here," Jordan said. "We're probably looking at months for a full recovery," including rebuilding the tissue that was sheared off as he was dragged.

In July, a revised ordinance passed in parts of Walton County prohibits carrying dogs in open-bed trucks or similar vehicles unless they are restrained by at least two tethers.

Crash is only the latest patient to be brought to Alaqua, a no-kill animal shelter located just east of Freeport on Whitfield Road. The 10-acre site is home to approximately 80 dogs and more than 100 cats, as well as a sprinkling of horses and birds.

Last week, Jordan said, animal control officers brought in a puppy that two larger dogs "were basically playing tug-of-war with" and was in a great deal of shock, Jordan said. But the bruises that covered his abdomen have now healed, and Jordan reported that he's "doing great."

The shelter has started a special fund to ensure Crash receives the best medical care possible. Anyone who would like to make a donation can call Alaqua at 880-6399 or mail a check to Alaqua Animal Refuge, c/o Crash's Fund, 914 Whitfield Rd., Freeport, FL 32439.