Trooper, a 7-week-old Jack Russell terrier mix found abandoned and spray-painted with Dalmatian-like spots and with puncture wounds on his back, nearly died Saturday.
Rushed to a Colorado Springs clinic from Pueblo, where he was found a week ago, the dog underwent a delicate, five-hour blood transfusion.
On Sunday, the animal was eating on his own, sitting up and wagging his tail. Blood tests showed a dramatic improvement.
Donna Straub, director of operations for Pueblo Animal Services, said Sunday that in 29 years of caring for abused, neglected and abandoned animals, she has never before seen such an outpouring of concern.
The agency received more than $3,000 in contributions to cover the costs of saving Trooper and $2,500 in additional money as a reward for tips leading to the arrest of the abuser.
“This incident struck a nerve,” Straub said. Trooper “was so little and helpless. It really gets to you,” she said.
The puppy weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces, was severely dehydrated and malnourished, and was comatose when found.
An employee of the Loaf ‘N Jug store at Bonforte Boulevard and U.S. 50 in Pueblo was carrying boxes to the store’s trash container about 11 a.m. on July 24 when he noticed a child’s toy pet carrier next to the trash bin, with the dog inside.
One of the dog’s eyes had also been spray-painted over and was infected. Veterinarians have been able to treat the infection, Straub said.
The Pueblo Animal Services staff dubbed the puppy Trooper for his “survival spirit,” Straub said.
A cruelty-to-animals investigation has been initiated for the abandonment and torture of Trooper, according to Straub. During the past week, veterinarians in Pueblo and Colorado Springs have worked to save the little dog.
At one point, Straub said, when the question of euthanizing the puppy was raised, one vet said: “No way! This puppy is going to survive!”
More than 50 people have asked to adopt Trooper. An essay contest might be held with the winner getting Trooper, Straub said.
Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-820-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
