A puppy named Stubbs needs surgery after he was discovered with a lost paw while being rescued from his owner’s property, rescuers have revealed.
According to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Stubbs was discovered alongside an older dog – named Thunder – from a home in North Philadelphia.
Experts believe a younger stray dog may have lost the paw after it got tangled in the umbilical cord during birth.
The dog’s owners made claims that the adult dog had eaten the puppy’s paw, though veterinarians quickly established that this was the unlikely cause.
Although the pup can currently move around independently, veterinarians have warned that his paw-less leg being shorter could inflict pain and discomfort as he grows.
The rescue center wrote in an Instagram post: “The entire paw, including the pad was missing, leaving this beautiful baby with one leg shorter than the other.
“While he seemingly gets along just fine, he relies heavily on his elbow and as he grows he would likely experience more pain and discomfort in his joints.
“So when it is time for him to be neutered, his front leg will also be amputated. But it will be for the best.”
The dogs’ carers are confident Stubbs will be okay provided that pups are adaptive and resilient, but recognise that the dog’s life will be “irrevocably changed”.
The PSPCA explained that they were alerted to the dogs’ case after responding to reports about two stray puppies near a home in North Philly.
They established soon after arriving on the scene that the case was for an Animal Law Enforcement team, as the owner was present and it transpired the dogs were not strays.
It was later revealed by an ACCT office that the dogs had been living in the basement, warranting a call for backup officers.
Thunder was visibly underweight and had several sores under her hind end, while Stubbs was missing his front paw.
“Now it’s time to pull together to send him health thoughts,” the PSPCA added in their post,“ And, to help us save the next Stubbs”.
