Two Dogs Struck by Cars on Separate Days Struggle to Recover from Life-Threatening Injuries

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A photo of Nutmeg, one of two dogs recovering from similar injuries after being struck by fast-moving cars (credit MSPCA-Angell)

An adorable but frightened stray Chihuahua struck by a car and found on the side of a Mattapan street on June 5 had just undergone life-saving surgery at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain when days later, on June 9, a Shih Tzu mix was surrendered after she was struck and critically injured by a car in Jamaica Plain, the organization announced June 16.

A photo of Nutmeg, one of two dogs recovering from similar injuries after being struck by fast-moving cars (credit MSPCA-Angell)

The Chihuahua, now named Nutmeg, is about a year-old and wore no identification tags, nor was she microchipped, making it impossible to identify an owner. A good Samaritan rushed her to the MSPCA after finding her on the side of a busy street, her shattered pelvis and leg fractures making it impossible for her to walk or even stand.

“Nutmeg could not move her hind legs and was clearly in shock by the time she reached us,” said the MSPCA’s Jamaica Plain adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger who tended to Nutmeg upon arrival. “There was no time to waste: once x-rays confirmed that her hind legs and hips were broken in multiple areas we arranged for surgery.”

Nutmeg’s surgery, which included installation of plates and screws to stabilize her pelvis, took three hours to complete. She is now on the mend, the giant incision circling both of her hips now carefully sutured.

Four Days Later, Another Pup Struck by Car

No sooner had Nutmeg been fitted with a cone and wheeled out of surgery did a two-year-old Shih Tzu arrived at the shelter having been struck by a car in Jamaica Plain. Like Nutmeg, Lily was critically injured with a pelvis broken in two places, requiring surgery on both sides. She too underwent emergency surgery and is now in recovery.

“It’s been a very difficult time for everyone in the adoption center, with animals coming in badly injured and in terrible pain,” said Krieger. “Still, our objective is unchanged: we need to be here for each and every one of them, and we won’t rest until all of them have recovered.”

Krieger said it is very possible that both dogs will need follow-up surgeries and other aftercare, with combined medical bills topping $12,000.

Unprecedented Demand on Resources

The Jamaica Plain adoption center’s ability to save the lives of Nugmeg and Lily—as well as dozens more animals every month—is a direct result of donations to Spike’s Fund, a restricted fund used to offset medical care for homeless animals in the Boston adoption center.

The adoption center spends, on average, $15,000 per month treating animals struck by cars, injured in accidents or cruelty cases and suffering from diseases such as mange and cancer—and even neurological and cardiac issues. “In the last 60 days we treated nearly animals at a total cost of almost $50,000,” said Krieger, who urged supporters to donate to Spike’s Fund to ensure the center can always help animals in need.

Anyone who wishes to contribute toward the cost of Nutmeg and Lily’s care—or animals like them—may do so by clicking www.mspca.org/spikespups. Both dogs will be placed for adoption after they recover from their injuries. Readers can contact adoption@mspca.org with adoption-specific questions.

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