WOODBRIDGE, Conn — An abandoned bulldog who suffered through a botched surgery and was left on a roadside has made a remarkable recovery and is seeking a new home.
Rescuers at the Woodbridge Regional Animal Control said the bulldog, who they named Mary, has been at the shelter for months after she survived a grueling experience of neglect.
On Oct. 25, Mary was tossed out of a pickup truck on Racebrook Road in Woodbridge in the middle of the night.
"It was a pretty remote area and pretty dark," said Jessica Moffo, Animal Control Officer with Woodbridge Animal Control.
A woman driving behind the truck saw the dog being discarded and took her to the home of a friend who is a volunteer at the shelter. The driver of the pickup hasn't been identified.
Moffo said if it weren't for a passerby, Mary could've been hit by a car or gone septic.
"She was bleeding; she had some internal damage basically from a home C-section probably or a C-section that kinda went wrong," explained Moffo.
Moffo said they believe she was used solely for breeding other pups. Mary had to be treated by a vet and eventually underwent costly surgery to save her life.
"They were able to remove everything, we were able to keep her on antibiotics, and she was able to recover fully, and she is a happy, healthy, go lucky dog," said Moffo.
Woodbridge Animal Control said, unfortunately, stories like Mary's are not uncommon.
"It sucks because we see a lot of bad things," said Moffo.
Especially now. Moffo said shelters are full of what she calls "COVID pups and pets,"
"When COVID started slowing down, we see a big rise with people that brought dogs while they were working from home or not working," said Moffo.
But as we enter the endemic phase, she said the responsibility of having a pet is setting in for many people. She said they've had five owner surrenders in the past three weeks.
Although many pets are being surrendered, there are still a lot, like Mary, who are dumped and left for dead.
"There are avenues for people that need or cant hold an animal anymore," said Moffo. "There are more than enough organizations that could help people. To see them dumped the way they are, it's heart-wrenching."
Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates agreed and said resources and facilities are available across New England.
"There is never any excuse to dump an animal on the side of the road," said Zilla Cannamela, President of Desmond's Army Animal Law advocates.
Cannamela said they are working to be animals' voices and get answers for Mary and others like her.
"We are actually offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons who did that."
Moffo said Mary's case is still an ongoing investigation of animal cruelty and abandonment. She said If you recognize Mary or have any information, you're asked to call the shelter at (203) 389-5991.
There are nearly a dozen pets at the Woodbridge Animal Control looking for forever homes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Raquel Harrington is the race and culture reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at rharrington@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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