Meet Zuko; this poor abused and emaciated Presa Canario had been found covered in feces and broken shards of beer glass and apparently used for target practice. Fortunately, it had been the Ontario, Canada Fur Warriors who received the call about the abused dog and asked if they could assist in his rescue.
Zuko had been found as a stray and arrived at a dog pound where he remained for five days with no medical attention. At dog pounds, as opposed to a shelter, the staff just hold the pet as they try to find a rescue within a few days. It there are no takers, the dog is euthanized.
And there was Zuko:
I went immediately.
I didn’t realize what I was walking into. This boy was falling over like a drunk person and had drool and foam coming out of his mouth. When I put my hand in front of him he was having a hard time seeing it and went cross eyed. I asked for help to load him in the crate to lift into my car. I seen (sp) the wounds and the one lady at the kennel said ‘I have been packing polysporn in his wounds through the fence cuz I felt bad watching him like this.’
Ashley DaSilva on Facebook
As they left the pound, the dog began to have a seizure, but fortunately came out of it; however then he vomited and had diarrhea everywhere. Ashley did the best she could in her vehicle to clean the dog up so he could arrive safely at the veterinarian hospital without breathing everything into his lungs. As she cleaned him up, she also removed broken beer bottle chunks of glass imbedded in his skin.
Zuko only weighed 71 pounds when he was rescued; this large breed should average 84 to more than 100 pounds. He was covered in feces and starving. But there was more. In addition to the injuries easy to be seen, the dog also suffered from a torn ACL, vision problems, ear infection, asthma dehydration and neurological problems affecting his balance and walking.
He was shot in the face and lower leg but was either rubber bullets or BB gun. Someone was using him as target practice ???
Zuko is scheduled for an MRI appointment next week to diagnose the reason for his neurological issues and give his physicians a better look at his brain and the nerve system. It has not been determined if the seizures he continues to have are short or long term as a result of the abuse inflicted on this gentle dog.
Thousands of dollars have been spent on helping this dog, and more expenses including a spinal tap will need to be performed. The surgery on his leg is scheduled for this week and is expected to cost between $3,000 to $5,000. Costs for the dog’s care have exceeded $10,000 thus far.
“We are over $10,000 and counting in such a short time and haven’t even raised $2500 in total as everyone is more focused on applying for him for adoption. We are being slammed with applications for his adoption when he’s not even available or ready. His TikTok went viral with over 1.5 million views in 24 hours which has everyone wanting him all over the world … but we are struggling to cover his medical.”
Now the focus has to be on helping this dog heal. Also, although he looks so sweet and gentle, he is a Presa Canario which is not a breed for the average home. He will likely need rehabilitation both physically, mentally and psychologically after the abuse he has endured to ensure his best chances for success in a new home.
Fur Warriors are asking everyone to focus on covering his medical needs now. They are in desperate need of funding, but want to make sure everyone knows they are grateful for all the help so far for this deserving dog.
Donations can be made via •
• E- transfer at [email protected]
• Website – www.FURWARRIORS.com/donate
Updates to follow.
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