Rescued pup making progress after surgery

HAMDEN — The little pup’s medical prognosis was “poor.”

The 3monthold pit bull was in tough shape in late March when Assistant Animal Control Officer Mitch Gibbs went to Brooksvale Park, 524 Brooksvale Ave., after receiving a report of a “sick or injured canine.”

The pup lay there in the brush, with labored breathing, according to police and Gibbs reported that the pup was “extremely thin” and that its bones were “easily visible.”

But the pup’s abdomen also was “bloated,” so it was taken to a local veterinarian, police said in a release. It was there the medical prognosis was shared: “poor.”

The pup then was taken to the North Haven Animal Hospital, where it was kept “comfortable,” but with regular treatment it became “playful,” so a local veterinarian cardiologist was called to examine the dog, police said. The doctor determined the pup had a “very rare congenital malfunction of the heart” and an operation “might” improve the pup’s quality of life, police said.

With the assistance the Hamdenbased rescue group Where the Love Is, residents throughout the area donated more than $10,000 for the cost of surgery, police said. By using social media to solicit donations, the money was raised in 48 hours, police said.

The pup, dubbed “King,” had surgery on June 20 for “pulmonic stenosis” and “cor triatriatum dexter” (a heart defect), police said. Hamden Animal Control reported that the surgery was partially successful, noting the cor triatriatum dexter could not be corrected during surgery.

However, the release noted, the Police Department and Animal Control Division are happy to report that King “is alert, happy and that he is making progress.” The hope is that the dog can have more surgery soon.

The Police Department and Animal Control Division thanked Gabrielle Scirocco, president of Where the Love Is, and the dozens of other people who helped the effort.

Contributed photo