The 1-year-old boxer who underwent emergency surgery after swallowing almost 3 feet of a dog leash was adopted yesterday.
The boxer, named Disco by the group that helped rescue him, underwent emergency surgery on April 16, after a woman reported the dog abandoned and vomiting in a lot at the Delux RV Park at 5520 Federal Blvd.
“We saw his story, called in and were instantly in love,” the dog’s new owner, Linda, who asked that her last name not be used, said.
Disco had not been fed in at least a week. He was so weak and sick that he had to be carried into the Hermosa Veterinary Clinic where he was immediately taken into surgery.
Doctors removed a long piece of a dog leash with a piece of chain attached to it. It appeared that the boxer had swallowed the leash about five days before he went into surgery.
The leash caused his intestine to rupture and forced doctors to remove 17 inches of intestine.
Linda and her husband picked up the boxer up from the clinic yesterday, and took him back to their home in southeast Denver, she said.
The couple re-named the dog Champ.
“One, he’s a champion over all the challenges he’s had,” Linda said. “Second, he is just a beautiful dog.”
Linda said Champ was recovering well from surgery, eating and drinking more, and wagging his tail. Champ is Linda’s fourth boxer.
“We love him already,” Linda said. “Our house was very quiet and now it’s filled with happiness, him wagging his tail and coming by for attention.”
Champ has not left Linda’s side since she brought him home, she said.
The HOBO Care Boxer Rescue, which helped rescue Champ, interviewed Linda and her husband and inspected her yard before they approved the adoption, Linda said.
Adams County Animal Control said the dog’s previous owner was served a citation, but could not comment further as it is still an ongoing investigation.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
