Massachusetts: Emaciated dog forced to chew off his own paw to escape after 'being tied up for weeks' as owner is charged with animal cruelty

MASSACHUSETTS --  The MSPCA is caring for a dog who chewed off its own foot, desperately trying to escape from a tether that had become twisted around his leg for “days, if not weeks.”

The dog, Maverick, was found in Middleborough by an animal control officer and rushed to an animal clinic on July 12. The dog was sedated so vets could clean the foot wound.

 

Officials said the 2-year-old German Shepherd chewed off his own foot trying to escape. His other legs were covered in rope burns and scars that had healed over.

Maverick is currently at The MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston for treatment.

The animal control officer who found the dog, Chelsea Weiland, said the dog had clearly been tangled many times in the past but was unable to free himself this time.

 

The dog’s previous owner, Kevin Kennedy of Middleborough, was charged with one count of felony animal cruelty. He will be arraigned in Wareham District Court on August 18.

Typically the injury would be addressed by amputating the leg, but the dog’s hips are also compromised, meaning Maverick would not be able to walk if he lost his leg.

Instead, doctors will reconstruct a functional foot, rotating what remains of the foot pad and repositioning it over the weight-bearing part of the foot. The surgery is planned for later this week.

The surgery is expected to cost $5,000 and the MSPCA is issuing an urgent call for donations. For more information on Maverick, click here.

Maverick will be up for adoption after he has recovered fully. Anyone interested can contact the MSPCA.

(WHDH - July 26, 2016)