Miracle got away from his home on Friday, May 19, and was attacked by two pit bulls. The attack left Miracle with a hole 3 inches in diameter on the front of his left front leg which intersects with a hole 1-inch in diameter on the back of his left front leg. The report we received was that his owners opted not to seek medical attention and surrendered him to the shelter.
Like most animal shelters, the Wichita shelter does not have the financial means and staffing to provide medical care. Miracle sat in the shelter’s holding pen Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday with these open, agonizing wounds, with the shelter staff doing the best they could. On Monday morning, May 22, the shelter vet, on a routine visit, saw Miracle. The "on staff" vet simply examines the newcomers every couple of days to determine who is healthy enough to stay for a few days and who should be put down.
The vet said that if a rescue group didn't pull Miracle immediately and get him medical attention Miracle would have to be put down. Miracle had been in the shelter four days with visible large, open, intersecting wounds that were dirty and now maggot infested. No one knew if invisible internal injuries existed, or what lay under his matted coat.
Read about Miracle's recovery at their site.
(Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network - May 20, 2006)