A golden retriever that was brought to a Lancaster animal shelter with severe burns — probably from battery acid — on its back was continuing to recover Wednesday at a West Los Angeles treatment center, and sheriff’s officials were working to determine who abused the dog.
The dog, who has been named “Fergus,” was brought to a Lancaster animal shelter Aug. 11 and subsequently turned over to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California in West Los Angeles for treatment, with the help of the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue Group.
Fergus was apparently taken to the shelter by a good Samaritan who found the wounded animal. However, when the injured dog was first found, no report was made to the sheriff’s department, which learned of the canine’s injury Wednesday when contacted by news media, said Lt. David Grall of the Lancaster Station.
[symple_divider style=”solid” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″]
READ MORE: Exes in dog fight over pet custody
[symple_divider style=”solid” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″]
He said a deputy has now been assigned to look into the dog’s injuries.
In the meantime, Fergus has been making what doctors called an almost miraculous recovery. The animal had severe burns on its back, beginning at the base of its neck extending almost to its tail.
“The fact that this guy still trusts people, wags his tail and will let us treat him considering the horrendous way that some person hurt him, is absolutely remarkable,” Dr. Alan Schulman of the Animal Medical Center told NBC4.
Schulman told the station he suspects the dog was not set on fire, but had some type of chemical or battery acid poured on him.
Channel 4 reported that after it aired a story about the dog’s plight, a viewer offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the person who hurt Fergus.
A Gofundme page has been set up to help cover the dog’s treatment costs. As of midday Wednesday, more than $14,000 had already been raised.
According to a statement on the Gofundme page, the golden retriever, about one or two years of age, was brought into the Lancaster shelter “with burns down his entire back.”
“He is being treated at AMC now for severe burns and we are hoping to stave off infection, which is what we are most concerned about at this point,” according to the website.
— City News Service