Dog News

Hope Recovers After Being Set on Fire

by Katherine

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On March 20, 2014, a one-year-old mixed breed dog from Arcadia, Fla., was set on fire by her owner. She was tethered, doused with kerosene, and then set on fire with a lit with a cigarette. Miraculously, she survived the abuse and was brought into rescue when a group of children found her and directed a volunteer animal rescuer who drove by to her location.

Hardee Animal Rescue Team (HART) has been looking after the dog since she was rescued, they’ve named her Hope.

Photo Credit: Fox 13
Photo Credit: Fox 13

 

After rushing her to Blue Pearl trauma center in Tampa, veterinarians determined the dog suffered extensive burns on 60 to 70 percent of her body. Her eyes were burned as well and at the time veterinarians were not hopeful the abused canine would ever be able see again.

“She won’t be normal, ever. She’ll have significant scarring, she has a long road ahead of her, including numerous surgeries she’s going to need down the road, as well as a long term healing for her skin,” Dr. John Gicking told Fox 13.

Yet, three weeks after enduring the horrible abuse there is hope for Hope. She is now walking around, eating, wagging her tail, and barking at passing cars.

According to Dr. Sonja Olson, Hope’s recovery has been unexpected. She has improved rapidly.

“She’s still in a very intensive phase of wound care and of medications, but the great thing is she’s eating, she’s drinking, and she’s off of IV fluids,” said Olson.

What’s more, ophthalmologists believe the canine will regain her vision completely.

Since the abuse happened, HART set up a YouCaring page where more than $47,000 have been donated to help Hope recover.

Local police continue to investigate the burning incident and hopefully the owner and animal abuser will face criminal charges.

If you would like to donate towards Hope’s medical care, visit her YouCaring page.

To follow Hope’s recovery visit http://hardeeanimalrescueteam.weebly.com/.