Puppy Stabbed, Beaten & Left For Dead in North Memphis
Donate to help Mack and others like him.
This story was first published at abc24.com on April 24.
A 4 month-old shepherd mix was found barely alive, inside a plastic bag, in a North Memphis driveway with a steak knife sticking out of its back Tuesday, April 22, 2008. The puppy's face had also been spray-painted with red paint.
Mack is still alive, but in critical condition at a local veterinarian's office.
Read the full story with slideshow and video.
Updates
4-25-08: I spoke with the staff at Gentle Care this morning and they are happy to report that Mack is much more alert today and eating on his own. Dr. Blackburn does not feel that Mack will need to go back to the Animal Emergency Center tonight. At this time Mack is still not using his back legs. Only time will tell whether or not this will be permanent or can be repaired.
4-25-08: I've attached a picture of Mack that was taken today at Gentle Care.
I stopped by to see him late this afternoon. He is so sweet. As I was petting him he laid his head in my hand and looked up at me as if to say "thank you". Everyone at Gentle Care has fallen in love with him.
He was much more alert today, he's breathing on his own, he began urinating with out help and has been able to keep his food down. Today was a very good day! The Doctor is going to try acupuncture on him to see if that will help with the pain and mobility.
4-25-08: Reward Offered for Beating, Stabbing and Spray Painting of Memphis Puppy
4-28-08: Great News! Dr. Blackburn took additional x-rays of Mack's spine and did not see any damage. Since Mack is moving his legs more and more each day Dr. Blackburn suggested today that Mack has a good chance to fully recover! Mack is still not walking, but he is putting a little weight on his back legs.
Mack will continue to stay at Gentle Care for observation. He's receiving lots of love and attention from the Doctors and staff.
I want to thank everyone for their wishes and prayers for Mack.
5-1-08: Mack is continuing to improve every day. He is moving his back legs some and will stand for a little while if helped up. He continues to eat well.
Mack is still in a lot of pain and on medication. Dr. Sullivan is using acupuncture to help Mack improve.
He's playing with a stuffed animal and is giving out lots of kisses to the staff at Gentle Care.
5-8-08: Mack is improving everyday. The Vet's Staff keep Mack up front in the reception area with them to socialize him.
Since he is still not trying to stand or walk they tried him with a cart yesterday, however he only moved backwards.
He is crawling to treats and toys. Mack's attitude is getting better and he is beginning to act more like a puppy everyday.
Dr. Blackburn thinks that Mack have suffered other spine trauma other than being stabbed and that is why he can't walk now. We are just waiting for him to heal and hoping that he will walk again.
Thanks for caring.
5-15-08: Mack is now using a wheeled cart to move around. We are not sure that he will ever walk again. He does have feeling in his back legs and can move them, however he still can't walk.
Mack has out grown his first wheeled cart and will quickly out grow the one he is using now. We will need to fit him with a new in a few weeks.
Mack is now acting like a puppy again. He's barking, chewing and playing. He is still at Gentle Care Animal Hospital.
6-1-08:
I'm sorry to report that we had to have Mack euthanized on Saturday, May 31st. Mack did not have any feeling in his lower back and back legs which allowed him to contort and twist his body in ways that allowed him to fracture one of his back legs.
Since Mack was approx. 5 months old his bones were still growing and developing. However, his bones were not getting strong, so they were very soft and brittle. In order for his bones to become strong and healthy they would need to bear weight and be stressed just the same way our bones become healthy. Mack could not and would never bear weight on his back legs, so he would continue to hurt himself.
We've always adopted the philosophy of "Do No Harm" when deciding on a treatment plan for one of our injured, sick or abused animals. We had to put that philosophy into action where Mack was concerned. It was not an easy decision to make, however it was the best decision for Mack.
I want to thank you for your support and prayers for Mack. I especially want to thank Dr. Blackburn and the entire staff at Gentle Care Animal Hospital. While Mack was in their care he was well taken care of and severely spoiled rotten. Everyone at Gentle Care fell in love with Mack and would stop what they were doing every time he had something to say to them, which was often. They gave him treats, toys, kisses and hugs. This was probably the only time in his short life that he experienced love.
I played with Mack for awhile before he went to sleep for the last time. He was happy to chew on my clothes, fingers, arm, etc. When I moved away he would "talk" me into coming back to him for a little more chewing.
I promised him that he would not be forgotten and would always have a place in our hearts.