Veterinarians, Rescuers Work To Save Severely Injured Dog
SOUTH MIAMI (CBS4) - A beagle mix named Lily is fighting for her life, missing skin and tissue on forty percent of her body.
Miami rescue group Paws4You rescued Lily after she was surrendered to Miami-Dade Animal Services earlier in the week. She's now getting care at the South Miami Animal Clinic.
Veterinarian Maria Oliveira said she's horrified by the extent of the dog's injuries.
"I was appalled. I had never seen something like this," said Dr. Oliveira. "The amount of tissue damage she has, the amount of tissue loss she has, the amount of necrotic tissue she has in her body is something I've never seen before."
Lily's is on antibiotics and pain medication as doctors try to heal her injuries and prevent infection. Her condition is described as "guarded."
Despite her injuries, her tail rarely stops wagging. She quickly wins the hearts of everyone she meets.
"She's got a really good good heart and spirit. She's incredible," said Carol Caridad of Paws4You.
What caused Lily's suffering still isn't clear. Animal services says she was surrendered by an owner who had taken her to a vet but couldn't afford to care for her.
Oliveira says it appears the dog suffered some sort of burns.
"It looked like a chemical burn. That's the only thing I can think," she said.
A spokesman for Miami-Dade Animal Services says there isn't an investigation open now, but it will likely open one next week.
If you want to know more about the organization helping Lily, the website is www.paws4you.org. There is also a fund set up to help pay for Lily's care.
