I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.

For me they are the role model for being alive.

~ Gilda Radner

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Daddy Chihuahua leads family to safety





By Brian Chasnoff - Express-News

A daddy dog with a deformed leg led his family of nine to safety this week along the shoulder of a busy highway during rush-hour traffic, officials said.

His destination: Animal Care Services.

“Animals come in every single day,” whether they're picked up or dropped off, said Lisa Norwood, ACS spokeswoman. “In this particular case, they brought themselves in.”

An ACS employee and a volunteer caught sight of the pack of Chihuahua mixes Wednesday around 5 p.m., Norwood said.

From the shoulder of a bustling Texas 151, the patriarch of the family led an older female dog and seven puppies down a grassy slope and to the gate of ACS, located along the frontage road of the highway.

The leader has a cloven leg — likely a birth defect caused by inbreeding.

“He gets along fine and was able to lead his family off of the highway and into the shelter,” Norwood said.

ACS officials believe someone abandoned the pack along the highway — an illegal act anywhere in Texas. Abandoning an animal is an act of cruelty and a felony if someone throws the creature from a vehicle or into a body of water, Norwood said.

“Abandoning an animal by a highway is just unconscionable,” Norwood said. “There are so many options, so many shelters in San Antonio.”

The phenomenon is common in this region, particularly in parks and rural areas, she said.

In this case, the nine Chihuahuas were suffering from ringworm and mange. Both conditions are treatable, although they could take several months to heal.

Norwood said ACS has placed the dogs on a special hold in hopes of finding people to adopt them. Officials said those interested should call (210) 207-4738.

“They're real sweet. A couple of them are just really social,” she said. “This is a perfect reason for folks to come forward and become fosters. Animals like this come in, and they clearly deserve another chance.”

7 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

It is pretty inkhredible!

Once again, Mom is sad khanines have to suffer due to the stupidity of some 'humans'

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Deborah said...

WOW, I can't believe that daddy dog lead the other puppies to saftey, that is truly amazing.
I hope they all find wonderful homes! I love my chihuahua, Mr. Chips. He's a great dog!
I hope they can find who did this. That is just not right, not right at all.

Unknown said...

Dogs continue to amaze me. Humans do too but in a bad way. BTW I like that shelter lady's name? I felt apart of the article.
norwood

Sally Ann and Andy said...

What a smart little dog, and he is very cute. He will find a Mommy and Daddy.
Sally Ann

Unknown said...

STumpy please blow some of that hot air over here. Oh I got some from your last comment. But choked on all the dust.

Norwood

Sandra said...

This is a great story!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Khyra,It is incredible, and willhopefully have a happy ending. Damn those two legged beans anyway.

Deborah, I ma sure these chi's will end up in a good place! Thanks dog, canines have more intelligence that a whole lot of humans, huh?

Norwood, yeah the humans are something, huh? Makes me ashamed to be one, all too often. You don't want Stumpy blowing hot air your way... We suffer from that phenomena sometimes and it's not too enjoyable.

Mack and Sally Ann, I hope they all do!

Sandra, at least it has turned out that way, so far!