Injured lurcher rescued in Co. Waterford - ISPCA
A young, seven-month-old lurcher dog is now thriving in a loving new home after being found straying around Waterford city centre with a severely broken leg.
The tan, male lurcher, now named 'Lenny' by his rescuers, was found wandering alone in the heart of the city by a concerned member of the public.
The dog was limping and clearly in pain and distress, needing urgent veterinary care.
The person who found him alerted the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and stayed with the dog until ISPCA inspectors arrived.
According to ISPCA senior inspector Alice Lacey, when she arrived, she discovered a gash on the young dog’s hind leg, and the leg was extremely swollen.
The dog was immediately taken to Dungarvan for an urgent assessment and pain relief. The ISPCA said he was so exhausted he could barely stay awake during a veterinary assessment.
X-rays confirmed that Lenny had a serious break to his tibia. The injury, believed to have occurred several days earlier, had become severely infected due to lack of treatment.
After careful assessment, the vet determined that amputation was the most humane and viable option to relieve Lenny's suffering, and to give him a chance at a pain-free life.
Following Lenny’s surgery, he was transferred to the ISPCA’s Wicklow Centre, where he received round-the-clock care and rehabilitation.
He was recently adopted into a permanent, loving home, where he is now loved and cared for.
ISPCA senior inspector Alice Lacey said: "Lenny was extremely despondent when I met him. As he was carried and placed in my van, I could see that he was in severe pain.
"He was very subdued and had the most anguished look in his eyes. At that point, when he looked at me, I think he knew he was safe. I rushed him to the veterinary clinic.
"He was so exhausted from carrying the weight of his broken leg, that he closed his eyes while standing up, almost falling asleep. Lenny, a dog who was once nameless and homeless, has now a new identity and a new lease of life.
“Despite everything he had been through, his gentle nature never faded. We’re thrilled he’s now safe, happy, and deeply loved", Lacey added.
According to the ISPCA, lurcher dog breeds often get overlooked in kennels for smaller dogs and they can be in ISPCA care for some time before being adopted.
The ISPCA continues to advocate for responsible pet ownership, such as veterinary care and treatment, neutering and microchipping, which is a legal requirement.
It urges the public to continue to report any injured, neglected, and abused animals to its National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515.
