An 11-month-old German Shepherd puppy named Rocky is on the road to recovery after being neglected to the point of chewing off most of his own foot to escape what veterinarians say was likely a chain or rope used to tie him to a pole.
Rocky is now resting from surgery, and seems to have kept a good attitude through the unimaginable pain he must have gone through.
"He's a very active dog," said Dr. Maria Bromme, of Alicia Pet Care Center in Mission Viejo.
Bromme said they were forced to amputate Rocky’s leg.
"We removed the bandage and it was definitely a hard thing to see -- he had essentially just chewed off most of his foot," she said.
Rocky's previous owners brought him to an animal shelter, gave up their ownership rights and claimed they really didn't know how his foot ended up like it did.
"It's really hard to know, whether or not this is a family that didn't know any better," said Tiffany Norton of the group Coastal German Shepherd Rescue. "It's just hard to say."
U.S. & World
Chaining or tethering a dog is illegal in California, which was the first to pass such a law in 2007. Now, Orange County Animal Control is investigating Rocky’s case.
Dr. Bromme said he’s adjusting well, and once he’s recovered, Rocky will get a chance at a new life with a new family when he goes up for adoption.
