Another hit-and-run dog rescued

Published on: Saturday, November 20, 2021

By: Dr Roslee bin Haji Abbas

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HElping Animals Rescue Team (Heart)

EVERY day in Kota Kinabalu and its proximity, unfortunately, hundreds of animals, mainly homeless cats and dogs, die in the streets innocently because of vehicular incidents and accidents.

Their innate desire to roam and inability to understand the dangers posed to them when crossing roads can lead to life-threatening injuries. Some have survived, handicapped and with fatal injuries.

The fortunate ones get rescued, re-homed, adopted, and are in new happy homes.

Some animals that died in the streets were not heard of or known because after all, the stigma has programmed humans to think that animal lives are less important.

There were several hit-and-run accidents last week that we have rescued. One of them was a stray or homeless dog became the10th victim of hit-and-run in the streets of Penampang. The accident happened in Hungap, Penampang on November 13. The badly injured dog was left for dead in the bushes for many hours. It seemed like no one was listening to the dog’s cries. Her cries and whines for help were ignored for many hours.

It was after a rainy day and her body was cold.

Finally around 11pm a good Samaritan who was taking a run through the neighbourhood that evening when he heard the injured dog’s cries coming from the bushes

and began searching for it. Without the Good Samaritan who saw the injured dog and asked for our help, the dog wouldn’t get the care and treatment she needed. It was immediately rescued by the Heart rescue team. The dog, who was later named Zara, was severely emaciated and wrapped in a blanket. She had wounds that hinted of the hit-and-run accident. That it was a miracle that she had even survived the impact of the collision. Zara is just one among many incidents that happen every day in the city.

Zara was in real bad shape. She had serious lacerations to her neck and chest and deep puncture wounds in her chest and legs. When found, it was dehydrated.

We’re just thankful she was found in time. The injured dog was resting at our volunteer’s house for the night since there was no vets available after midnight. Her cries were difficult to listen to, and her wounds were tough to look at. We gave her pain medication and waited for her pain medication to kick in. Despite her serious injuries, she was in good spirits. Many times dogs in her condition can be aggressive or cranky out of fear and as a result of their injuries. But from the minute we got her, she was very gentle and kind. For what she’s been through, to have this temperament is pretty remarkable.

We immediately rushed her to the veterinarian clinic she desperately needed the next. Admitted at the Animal Hospital on November 14, 2021, no major bone fracture but has an enlarged liver caused by the accident with brutal injuries, CBC results showed low platelet count, hemoglobin and is still under observation and medication. Out of harm’s way, but now on a tough road to recovery. The dog will stay at the hospital for at least the next two weeks before she possibly could be discharged.

If you found an injured dog or cat please spare time and observe the severity of the injury. If it is accepting try a first aid like you can clot the injury. And the other way is do spare your time to take the injured animal to nearest vet and get it treated. Don’t wait till animal rescuers respond.

Every day we get close to 10 calls about injured homeless animals particularly dogs and cats. We have reached our maximum capacity and unfortunately can’t accept new cases at this moment. Paying medical vet bills is a struggle for us. The stress and worry of our hefty vet bills is bad enough in itself – but getting stung by an expensive vet bill on top makes a difficult situation worse.

We receive no government funding and rely on the support and kindness from our community, private donations and charity bazaar to complete our mission. Heart does not euthanise animals to make space to house others. We are a no-kill animal welfare group and work to preserve life whenever possible.

We rely on donations from people like you who are willing to spend their hard-earned money to help animals in dire need.

If you would like to help to pay for Zara’s medical and other expenses please send your money to:

CIMB BANK BERHAD

Account no.

70 3762569 4

ROSLI @ ROSLEE BIN ABBAS

DONATE - ZARA

And every ringgit helps! Thank you in advance for your generous, big and small (and no donation is too small).

Have a heart. Donate.