The drowsy animal was recovering at a Canton animal hospital after veterinarians removed his left eye. Doctors said they believed he was hit by a car in Norcross and couldn't find his way home.
"(He) stumbled into the road or ran across the road in a confused state and somebody hit him, struck him with their vehicle," said Dr. Jeff Cribb. "He was probably rolled or dragged for a few feet and he sustained massive injuries."
Karyn Wallace with Angels Among Us Animal Rescue said if it weren't for her agency, the dog would have died. An anonymous phone got the ball rolling, and her rescue group was determined to save his life.
"When I saw the picture I covered my mouth," said Wallace. "I thought of ‘Phantom of the Opera,' the lead character - and how he lived his life with half his face covered."
But the dog, nick-named Erik, had more injuries than what was visible.
"The left side of his pelvis has been dislodged," said Cribb.
Erik also broke one of his legs in the accident and veterinarians can't believe the dog survived.
"There was a very good chance with the injuries that he sustained that he could have perished," said Cribb.
Now the rescue group faces thousands of dollars in medical costs and are pleading for help.
"Probably the most expensive one we've had," said Wallace. "We're a rescue group and like everybody else we're struggling. We save as many animals as we can but we can't do it without our fans."
Once Erik has a chance to heal a bit, the animal rescue group plans to find a foster home for the dog in the next couple weeks.
(cbs46 - Oct 28, 2011)