On December 8, two CN railway employees noticed something on the tracks in the railyard: a dog. Helpless and unmoving, the dog was in obvious medical distress, seemingly having been hit by a slow-moving train. The CN workers rushed her to the BC SPCA Kamloops for care, where she was immediately brought to a vet for urgent medical attention.
The dog, originally referred to as “train stray,” has since been affectionately named Bannock. Despite the efforts of bylaw and BC SCPA animal centre staff, no guardian has been identified. It is believed Bannock is an Australian Shepherd and Kelpie mix around two years of age. The resilient pup has sustained several serious injuries from the accident.
Bannock was found with her tail traumatically amputated, presumably severed from being struck by the train. Her front left paw sustained an injury so severe that it will require amputation as well. Additionally, she is suffering from multiple abrasions and lacerations, a hemorrhage on her eye, and a fractured tooth that will require extraction. Bannock is receiving pain management treatment while she awaits her scheduled surgeries on December 31, as well as antibiotics to ward off any infection.
“We want to commend how incredible the CN workers’ response was. They acted so quickly to get this dog the care she needed,” say Dana Coulter, animal care supervisor at the BC SPCA Kamloops. “They’ve even reached out to check in and see how she’s doing. It’s really touching. She has a long road ahead of her, but her story could have had a much different ending without them. “
Bannock is being kept on strict kennel-rest until her surgery date, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Coulter adds, “She seems to enjoy being all cozied up in her kennel, lounging on her blankets. I think she’s catching up on some much needed rest!”
“All of our staff and volunteers have fallen completely in love with Bannock,” noted Coulter. “She has the most soulful eyes, and she’s so tolerant of us. Despite the immense amount of pain she has been through, she always gives every single one of us a tail wag whenever she sees us. In addition to pain medication, it’s not uncommon for us to offer sedation for dogs when they’re in such rough shape, but Bannock just has such a calm and gentle demeanour; she hasn’t needed that to keep her happy.”
Bannock is currently at the BC SPCA Kamloops animal care centre with the hopes of finding a foster-to-adopt home for her to recover in. If you would like to support Bannock’s medical care, you can donate towards the cost of her surgery.
Support Bannock’s care and recovery