On July 12, 2018, a motorist discovered a small, long-haired white dog that had been hit by a car on Marble Furnace Road in Peebles, Ohio. The dog did not have a collar or tags and nearby homeowners did not know where she had come from.
Normally, stray dogs are transported to the Adams County Dog and Kennel Department where they receive care from Adams County Dog Warden Donnie Swayne. Due to the dog’s injuries, however, the Dog and Kennel Department was unable to provide the necessary care for the dog, so the Humane Society of Adams County (HSAC) stepped in to help.
HSAC volunteers rushed the dog, thought to be a Maltese mix, to Shawnee Animal Hospital in Portsmouth. X-rays were taken to rule out broken bones, and, after being examined by a veterinarian, it was revealed that the dog had a large open wound on its abdomen and required emergency surgery to close the laceration, which resulted in a zipper of stitches that would have made Frankenstein proud. She was also matted and covered in fleas. The vet hospital staff shaved her thick, filthy fur and bathed her. She tested negative for canine heartworm.
Luckily, the dog, named “Maddie” by shelter staff, was very affectionate and did not issue even a whimper or a growl throughout the entire scary, confusing, and painful ordeal. Maddie has now been released from the veterinary hospital and is recovering well in the care of HSAC.
After being posted and shared through social media to more than 7,600 people, several individuals came forward hoping she was their missing dog. After careful interviews with each family, she was found to not be theirs. HSAC wishes those families the best of luck locating their missing pets.
Because Maddie’s true owner was unable to be found during the mandatory 72-hour stray holding period, (per Ohio Revised Code), Maddie is now the responsibility of HSAC. When she recovers from her injuries, she will be fully vetted and made available for adoption through the HSAC animal shelter in West Union. When she is cleared to be adopted, applications may be filled out at the animal shelter in West Union. Adoptable shelter animals are posted on Facebook and Petfinder.com.
HSAC is a non-profit organization and receives no taxpayer money or government funds for animal care. Donations are greatly appreciated to help pay for animal care, such as Maddie’s emergency vet fees, which totaled $392.88. Donations may be tax-deductible. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 245, West Union, OH 45693, or through PayPal at our website www.
For more information about the Humane Society of Adams County, please call (937) 544-8585 or email info@adamscountyanimals.
