I really hope this little guy makes it. _____ Starved dog Patrick survives This precious Pit Bull mix dog has a story that is shining a national spotlight not only on animal abuse but on extreme ends of the human spectrum. It's a story of pain, neglect, abuse, evil, and unimaginable suffering but also a story of an animal's will to survive and the caring people who've joined in the fight to save his life, the lives of others like him, and to strengthen animal abuse laws. On March 16th, 2011, a maintenance worker at the Garden Spires apartment complex in Newark, NJ was emptying out the trash bin and moving the trash into a compactor when he saw one bag move ever-so-slightly. Inside was the living skeleton of a dog who'd been thrown down the trash chute of the 22 story building. The City of Newark Animal Control picked up the dog and immediately began efforts to save its life. They found he had a temperature too low to register as they started him on IV's and covered him with blankets and heating pads. He was hand-fed tiny bits of food and gently held and soothed by staff who had never seen a dog still alive in such horrible condition. The tough little canine miraculously survived his first 24 hours and on St. Patrick's Day he was transferred to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls for further care. Hospital staff named him Patrick and continued to give the dog the loving care he deserved. Within hours, Patrick gave wonderful, tiny wags of his tail that seemed to say, "thank you". He received a gentle bath, a blood transfusion, antibiotics and pain medication along with continued bits of food which he gratefully accepted. The little dog, that GSVS's Dr. Scavelli estimated would have died within hours if he hadn't been rescued, was proving to have the heart of a lion as he fought for his life with the team's help. Meanwhile, Patrick's story spread and prayers, donations and love began to pour in. The world fell in love with Patrick while being horrified by his plight and outraged at someone who could do this to him. In Italy, France, Greece and Australia, people responded to his story. A Facebook page was made for him, The Patrick Miracle, which has nearly 30,000 followers and is growing hourly. Updates on his progress and condition are posted often. Currently, Patrick continues to improve as caregivers saw him first be able to raise his head, then sit, then stand, and now walk the short distance outside to do his business (which he will NOT do inside...good boy!). He wears a little sweater given to him by a staffer and he's surrounded by cards and letters and drawings wishing him well. An ultrasound has shown a foreign body that will need to be dealt with when Patrick is strong enough for an exploratory surgery. It's not uncommon for a starving animal to eat just about anything and it's thought that he may have eaten a sock or piece of cloth. Now back to the bottom end of the human spectrum. The NJSPCA has charged 28 year-old Kisha Curtis with two counts of abandonment and two counts of failure to provide proper sustenance to an animal. Ms. Curtis has said she could no longer care for her dog but she denies having thrown him down the garbage chute. Amazingly, these charges carry maximum penalties of just 6 months in jail OR a maximum fine of $1,000. This has prompted another Facebook page to have been set up. Called Patrick's Law, it's a "nationwide grassroots movement for stronger legislation to enforce, prosecute and incarcerate animal abusers". This page had over 1,000 supporters almost immediately. So this poor little dog who suffered so long and so horribly has become the face of animal abuse and the movement to make changes in legislation. All Patrick knows, though, is that he's now warm, pain-free, full, and loved for the first time in his life. Oh, and that tail? It just keeps on wagging! link
GO PATRICK! oh, and this popped up in the "Every Post needs an Image" thread. Another Hero dog: <img src="http://boston.3432.voxcdn.com/files/2011/03/dTdCT.gif">
I agree completely... but it should be plainly apparent by now that the American public doesn't feel strongly about this, as a whole. The "it's just a dog" mentality permeates.
Cows and Pigs are ruthlessly slaughtered every single day. The problem I see with animal rights is that it seems that we only protect the animals we like, the ones that are super cute!
1. Most cows and pigs aren't deliberately starved then thrown a garbage shoot in a plastic bag while still alive. 2. Almost all animal rights activists are against unethical factory farming practices, as well as the deliberate torture of any animal.
Anyone else surprised they can give a transfusion to a dog? and where in hell do they get the blood to do it? I am kind of worried they now siphon blood off of my purebred Min Pin while she is in the vet, or my Schnauzer as he is boarded when I go on trips. Rep to whoever can answer my dog blood transfusion question. PS I am all for starving that terrible woman and throwing her down a chute as punishment. Hammurabi's Code needs to be enacted here, that b****.
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1. No, but you could make a pretty good argument for them having to go even worse conditions, WW2 style. 2. What are some "ethical factory farming practices"?
My best friend from childhood runs a bakery in New Jersey that raised money for Patrick. http://sweetavenuebakeshop.com/blog/2011/03/help-save-patrick/ Little guy has a lot of fans.
If I realized you were that dense I would have made sure to include the comma. Seriously, what animal rights activists do you know who aren't in favor of free range/grass-fed livestock?
I think the other guy makes a point, the chances of pigs and cows being neglected and starved is probably non-existent in comparison to house pets. I mean the sole purpose of those farm animals is their meat. if the owner can't afford to feed them, they can simply sell them for money, or slaughter them for meat. But strayed dogs and cats are worth pretty much nothing, you pretty much have to keep it or abandon it. And when you are forced to keep the pet, they usually gets abused.
I'd like to know why we don't hear animal rights people sticking up for rats. Seems to me we would put a human in jail for significantly longer for killing an animal that we relate to, compared to an amimal that we don't. Who rates what life has more value? Is it based on our flawed understanding of intelligence? Thanks for calling me dense, by the way. :grin:
I can understand that. Seems like you hear more about tortured dogs than you hear about slaughtered pigs. Pigs are considered to be more intelligent by our crappy IQ tests.
I'm sure animal rights activists are not okay with many things, but it seems to me that they especially look out for the cuddly ones that are easily relatable. How many animal rights activists fight for the rights of rats?
There's a reason for that. People generally don't go nuts over dogs and cats being euthanized. For the same reason why people who protest factory farming will still by grass fed beef and pork. It's the torture of animals, not the killing (well, depending on the reason) that generally gets people pissed.
