Severely Neglected Dog Heads To Austin For A Second Chance

Josie isn't your ordinary dog. She has three legs, a severe infection in her back leg and is extremely malnourished.

"She's just very very skinny. Very emaciated. But she's in good spirits, she's a happy dog and that's why she's worth trying to save," says Aaron Vannoy the Animal Services Manager at the shelter.

Josie was discovered at a residence here in Abilene when a concerned citizen called to report her poor condition.

Vannoy says, "Through our investigation, we were able to find that she lost her leg in an accident in another city, which has helped us find a possible suspect in this case."

Aaron says that this is about as bad as it gets. If they hadn't found her when they did, he believes she wouldn't be alive. But it's not all bad news for Josie. A boxer rehabilitation facility in Austin has agreed to take her in. There she will be treated for her intestinal parasites, malnutrition and leg infection.

"She's gonna have the opportunity to have that long-term medical treatment which gives her the opportunity to find a good home after that treatment," says Vannoy.

Jennifer Hudgens, a volunteer, will be taking her to Weatherford and another volunteer will meet her and take her to Austin from there. She says she is just a middle man and takes no credit, only saying that its a team effort and everyone involved has been a huge help.

"They think that they can save that third leg and so she'll have a second chance, and she can function on three legs," says Hudgens.

Vannoy says this is something that happens all too often and needs to change.

"We want people people to be aware of what cruelty is out in our community. When they see the signs, symptoms and signals of an animal being treated cruelly, to contact someone right away before it gets to the level that this animal is at," says Vannoy.