Pound pup’s return to health
A dog that was dumped at the pound in a terrible state has a new lease of life after being adopted by the council employee that fostered him.
Leo, a maltese/jack russell terrier cross, had been badly mistreated and was discovered at the New Plymouth pound with completely matted fur and covered in fleas. Despite his small size, he was so aggressive from the abuse that it took two animal control officers to remove him from the holding pen.
New Plymouth District Council administrator Melinda Christensen, whose work involves the pound, was asked by the staff to be a foster carer for Leo because he could not be rehomed in his condition.
‘‘The first time I saw him, I couldn’t even touch him because he was so angry,’’ she said. ‘‘So I sat outside his cage talking to him for an hour. He was grumbling and shaking.
‘‘I went again and sat next to him in the cage. He came over and nudged my hand and then was happy to let me stroke him. It was quite a breakthrough.’’
The foster care became permanent ownership and she said that Leo’s transformation over the past year had been amazing.
‘‘He is still scared of grooming because of what his owners did to him but in every other respect he is awesome.‘‘
The SPCA said they would have prosecuted if they had been able to track down Leo’s previous owners.
Staff at the Rifle Range Rd facility look after about 600 dogs each year, with 630 impounded in 2017. But it’s not just canines they look out for - pigs, sheep, goats, horses, hens, cattle and even a cat have been known to make an appearance.
Anyone wanting to adopt a dog should check out the NP Pound Facebook page or call 06 759 6060.