Shelter appeals for help to save wee mystery dog

Staff at a B.C. SPCA are hoping that a wee, wire-haired dachshund mix found wandering a rural road badly injured can pull off a miraculous recovery and find a forever home.

He was found badly injured and suffering a life-threatening infection, but staff at a B.C. SPCA are hoping that a wee, wire-haired dachshund mix can pull off a miraculous recovery and find a forever home.

The Squamish SPCA is appealing to the public for donations for $2,000 to help fund several operations on the young male dog they now call Harold.

The small dog was found wandering a rural road just outside Squamish District “horribly bruised, injured and neglected.”

It’s not clear what caused the dog’s injuries, but it’s believed they were a few weeks old.

“Even if accidental, Harold was not brought to the vet for necessary treatment. The damaged skin on his hind end and inner right leg had gone necrotic and was horribly infected,” said Squamish Valley Branch manager Marika Donnelly.

With damaged skin and bruising on his abdomen and abdomen, Donnelly said it’s possible that he’s been burned or suffered some kind of blunt-force trauma.

Since arriving at the B.C. SPCA, Harold has undergone surgery to remove dead tissue near his hind end, which was damaged down to muscle.

He still needs two more surgeries to slowly close the gaping wounds as new tissue forms.

“When he first came to us, he was weak, lethargic and couldn’t even walk, but a few days after surgery, he’s up and happy,” Donnelly said, adding that the skin infection could have killed him. The dog is receiving around-the-clock care at Eagleridge Vet Hospital.

The SPCA is asking anyone with information about the mystery dog to call the SPCA Cruelty Investigations hotline at 1-855-622-7722.

Anyone who wants to help aid Harold, or other animals like him, can donate through the SPCA website, call 604-898-9890 or donate in person at 39901 Government Rd. in Squamish.