CA: Pitbull puppy rescued in Vallejo saved in part by 'her spirit and heart'

Pitbull puppy rescued in Vallejo saved in part by 'her spirit and heart'
By Jessica A. York / Times-Herald
Posted: 09/22/2010 01:01:10 AM PDT

A female pitbull puppy rescued last week with near-festering wounds and a fractured paw is in need of donations to help pay for her recovery.

Benicia Vallejo Humane Society humane officer Justine Lavalle discovered the 3-month-old dog, called Maya by Humane Society employees, based on a Good Samaritan's call Sept. 13. She was under a bush near the intersection of Lighthouse Drive and Daniels Avenue.

"When I went out there, there were all kinds of bushes and I couldn't find her," Lavalle said. "Then I heard a tail wagging, hitting the cement ... It looked like she was waiting for me to pull her out of the bushes."

Humane Services Director Peter Wilson said Maya has maintained those tail-thumping good spirits throughout her rescue, from surgical insertion of tubes to drain pus from the dog's numerous open wounds to extensive stitches at the All Creatures Veterinary Hospital.

Veterinarian Robert Linville said the dog had a number of "life-compromising" serious wounds that were unlikely to have been accidentally inflicted and "would have been life-threatening if not treated."

The puppy may have been hit by a car, attacked by a larger dog or used as a bait dog (to train a fighting dog), Wilson speculated. He added that she suffered from open wounds on the left side of her rib cage, chest, neck and muzzle, and that her face and leg were swollen.

In her first interaction with another dog, Maya immediately licked the other dog's face, Wilson said. The decision to pay for the dog's recovery was largely based on the dog's temperament, Wilson said.

"Her spirit and heart hadn't been harmed by what she's been through," Wilson said.

It is unclear what the full cost of rehabilitating and training the dog will cost, especially in light of the serious injury to one of its paws, Wilson said.

Humane Society volunteer Christina Lombardi, who is caring for Maya, said the dog is hobbling on three legs, and has had the drainage tubes removed. Stitches are due for removal next week, she added.

"She's just a wonderful young puppy," Lombardi said. "We're hoping that someone will adopt her at the right time, with some training, when she's recovered."

Donations to Maya's care can be made online at Benicia Vallejo Humane Society, by sending a check to the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society, attn. Maya's Fund, 1121 Sonoma Blvd., Vallejo, 94590 or dropped off at a bake sale from noon to 4 p.m. Friday in front of the Benicia Pet Food Express in the Southampton Plaza.

Pitbull puppy rescued in Vallejo saved in part by 'her spirit and heart' - Vallejo Times Herald