Fabio the Maltese gets help in New Orleans
Fabio, a Maltese in Florida whose back paws were cut off to stop him from jumping over a fence, is headed to New Orleans for evaluation, prosthetics and rehab.
The four-year-old dog, who hasn’t let being hobbled slow him down too much, was being flown to see a team of specialists who will determine what sort of prosthetic devices might help him get around, said Joani Ellis of Florida Poodle Rescue.
“Fabio does not need us. Fabio’s making it on his own,” Dr. Allison Barca, the vet who’s heading the team of specialists, told Action News. “We’re just going to try to make it better for him.”
“I just think he needs something to help the stumps to feel comfortable … You just can’t order a set of boots that are going to strap to his legs. They’re going to have to be altered to fit this little dog individually,” she said.
Dr. Barca was part of a group that outfitted Molly the Shetland pony with a prosthetic leg after Hurricane Katrina.
Fabio was dropped off at a shelter in Miami and taken in by Florida Poodle Rescue, Action News reported earlier this year. His legs had been cut off just above the paw joint.
“The story was that his feet were cut off because he was trying to be an escape artist and climb a chain link fence,” Ellis said. ”And if that’s the worst he ever did, I think the punishment was certainly more than his crime.”
Officials say, based on the amount of callous on the stumps, that probably happened within the last year.
In New Orleans, Fabio will also spend time at Dag’s House, a rehab center for dogs with physical challenges. Ellis said some Dag’s House dogs have gone on to walk in parades in New Orleans.
“I would love to be waving a handkerchief and following Fabio in a second-line parade,” Ellis said. “That would be my dream.”
Posted by jwoestendiek March 12th, 2013 under Muttsblog, videos.
Tags: allison barca, animals, cruelty to animals, cut, dag's house, dog, dogs, fabio, fence, florida poodle rescue, joani ellis, jumping, maltese, miami, off, paws, pets, prosthetics, punishment, rehab, rehabilitation, rescue, shelter, veterinary
Comments
Comment from Elizabeth
Time March 12, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Yes, what I would like to know is, what happened to the sick F$#@ who cut off Fabios feet???
Comment from amy
Time March 13, 2013 at 2:32 am
owners should definitely be investigate by police and state attorney and charged. fine and jail time
Comment from KateB
Time March 13, 2013 at 10:20 am
Anyone who believes this ridiculous story needs their head examined. I read on another site that the dog lost part of its hind legs because of an accident, which makes a heck of a lot more sense than someone hacking off a dog’s legs to keep it from jumping a fence. I mean, come on! A dog that size couldn’t jump a fence if its life depended on it! This story was made up by someone begging for donations and nothing brings in money like an “abused” dog!
Comment from Beenish
Time March 17, 2013 at 9:27 am
Great Post friend Within the same manner many puppy people (me personally provided, admittedly) can personify our companies animals and also endow all of them with identity traits the couple most likely don’t have, people designate agency and intentions to dogs that just aren’t indeed there. His past holder most likely thought the dog was actually jumping the fence “to p$ss me off of or “to feel difficult”. “Ill show him”, had been possibly a thought that went through which people brain at some point.
Glad to see Fabio are going to be acquiring a quick additional assist to are living a happy being despite that handicap. Hell find a great home, not doubt. Keep up your good work
Comment from kungpow12
Time March 12, 2013 at 9:41 am
It’s incredibly sad the level of cruelty people are capable of displaying to animals and fellow humans alike.
In the same way many dog owners (myself included, admittedly) will personify our animals and endow them with personality traits they probably don’t have, some people assign agency and intentions to dogs that simply aren’t there. His previous owner probably thought the dog was jumping the fence “to p$ss me off” or “to be difficult”. “I’ll show him”, was probably a thought that went through that person’s mind at some point.
Glad to see Fabio will be getting a little extra help to live a happy life despite his handicap. He’ll find a great home, no doubt.