On November 18 while responding to concerns of animal cruelty, a BC SPCA animal protection officer found a heartbreaking sight. A heavily matted dog was lying in the snow, no shelter in sight on a remote property east of Prince Rupert. The dog, a seven-year-old poodle mix was almost unrecognizable. She was shivering in the cold and unable to put any weight on her left rear leg. After discussing the dog’s condition with her owner, she was surrendered to the BC SPCA.
“The snow around the dog had turned brown because of how dirty her fur was,” says Alex Schare, regional manager, animal protection services, North region. “It was obvious that her basic needs had not been met in quite some time. We don’t know when the last time she saw a groomer was, but it had clearly not been for a very long time.”
The dog, now named Pixie, was brought to the BC SPCA Prince Rupert and was immediately seen by a veterinarian. “Pixie had to be sedated to remove all her matted fur,” says Kristy Maier, manager, BC SPCA Prince Rupert. “It was so bad, it took two hours and to carefully remove it all. Her fur was full of dirt, feces, and urine. I honestly can’t imagine how uncomfortable she was wearing all that filth.”
While she was at the veterinary clinic, Pixie’s left leg was x-rayed to determine why she was non weight bearing. “The x-rays showed she had no tendons above the knee, due to an old injury to the leg that did not heal properly,” says Maier. “Below her knee was a very painful callus. That is probably where she bears her weight at times.” Pixie will require surgery to remove the leg.
Pixie spent a lot of time alone in her previous life, which might have made a different dog very fearful of people, but not this little one. “Pixie was friendly from the moment she arrived at the animal centre,” says Maier. “She loves people, and all the attention she has been getting. She wants to be with our staff all the time, demanding snuggles,” says Maier. “Pixie even kept falling asleep in the purse of one of our staff members. It was the cutest thing!”
Pixie is currently in the care of a BC SPCA foster. She will need time to recover, and we are hoping she will be available for adoption in mid-December.
The BC SPCA will be recommending animal cruelty charges to Crown Counsel.
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