Do you ever wish your animal could talk? Warren County Animal Control director Kim Pettrey is having one of those moments.
“When I take River outside, he looks down the road like he wants to go home really bad,” said Pettrey of a dog in her care. “He’s missing someone. I know someone is missing him just as much, but he can’t tell me who his owner is. I wish he could.”
River, named by Pettrey because he was found teetering on a ledge beside the Collins River in the area of Veterans Memorial Bridge and the VFW, is a black lab and is approximately 2 years old.
“A young couple was down by the bridge and they saw this dog on a ledge,” said Pettrey. “They got closer and noticed he was stuck on the ledge. He probably slid down the cliff. They were able to rescue him and they brought him here. He was in pretty bad shape. There is no telling how long he had been there.”
River had visible cuts and scraps along a rear leg. He was taken to local veterinarian Dr. Sam Young who diagnosed him with a dislocated hip that would require surgery.
“Dr. Young had to shave off the top part of the hip socket, put the leg back into the socket, and place a metal plate over it to keep it in place while it heals,” said Pettrey. “I don’t know how long River was there, but it had to be a while. The hip kept popping back out, which is why Dr. Young had to perform surgery and place a metal plate.”
Money to pay for the surgery came from a fund that was started at Dr. Young’s office to pay for emergencies such as this.
“Thank goodness people have made donations,” said Pettrey. “Thanks to those donations and Dr. Young giving me a discount, I had enough available for the surgery.”
Local residents who want to help replenish the fund for future emergencies can make a donation at Dr. Young’s office, located at 4021 Sparta Highway, by telling them it’s for Warren County Animal Control.
The good news, says Pettrey, is River is expected to make a full recovery and will retain full use of his leg. While he recovers, the search has begun for his owner. If that person cannot be found, there will be a search for a new home.
“I believe he belongs to someone,” said Pettrey. “He’s house trained. He will wait until I let him outside before he uses the bathroom. When I let him outside, the way he looks down the road breaks my heart. It’s like he’s saying ‘I’m ready to go home now.’”
River has been in the care of Animal Control for more than a week and is ready for adoption, unless his owner comes forward.
Animal Control is located at 169 Paws Trail and can be reached at 507-3647.