Dog News

Alaska Airlines Covers Flight to California for Starving Dog’s Surgery

by Melanie

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12.28.12 Alaskan Airlines
Thor and Teresa Downing

 

A German Shepherd named Thor will soon be able to eat again after receiving a free flight to Sacramento to receive surgery from a special group of veterinarians.

Thor was discovered to be starving in November and was taken to Arctic Rescue in Fairbanks, Alaska.  He was badly injured, possibly beaten, and certainly neglected.  His jaw was locked, and he was slowly starving to death.  Officials believe he survived by using his paw to push food into his mouth.

The rescue group had difficulty locating a surgeon who could help Thor.  Finally, the VCA Animal Hospital in Rancho Cordova volunteered to help.  This is the same hospital that saved the life of Sacramento K-9 Officer Bodie, who had been shot in the jaw and leg earlier this year.

Thor and his caretaker Teresa Downing flew to California, courtesy of Alaska Airlines, on Thursday.

“I was hurt to think that somebody could go to bed at night thinking that he was starving like he was,” said Downing.

She has harsher words for Thor’s owner, but could not say them on camera.

Thor received a pre-op evaluation Friday morning as Bodie was there getting his final bandages removed.  Thor’s surgery was scheduled for this afternoon.