When an officer from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department in Washington State was out on patrol, he witnessed a heartbreaking scene.
A stray white dog crossing the street was tragically struck by a passing vehicle.
Rescue Mission
The frightened, injured animal gathered all her strength and fled, finding refuge within an open concrete structure near the road where the accident occurred.
Deeply concerned for the pup, the police officer quickly made his way to the dog’s hiding spot, hoping to provide some assistance.
Once there, he crouched down and peered into the concrete opening, searching for the injured dog.
Soon, he locked eyes with a pair of sad, glowing eyes staring directly back at him.
Unable to leave her, the officer began speaking gently to the pup, hoping to coax her outside.
Fortunately, the dog listened to the kind deputy and limped out. She was then carefully picked up and transported to a veterinarian.
At The Vet
At the vet clinic, the dog was scanned for a microchip.
When none was found, meaning she had no previous owner, she sadly became a candidate for euthanasia.
However, the compassionate staff at People for Animal Care & Kindness (P.A.C.K.) in Gig Harbor, Washington, intervened.
They generously offered to cover all of the pup’s emergency surgery costs, saving her life.
Transferred to Sumner Veterinary Hospital, the dog, now named Piper, began her recovery.
“I was so sad to see this beautiful dog,” said the marketing manager for Sumner Veterinary Hospital, Nichol Phillips.
Now in needed and deserved care, Piper finally felt truly safe.
It truly breaks my heart that she found safety in an underground culvert. We are so grateful to the PCSD deputy who shed his gear and crawled into the pipe to get her.
Following her successful surgery, Piper was fortunate to find a loving foster home, which helped her recover, feel better, and come out of her shell.
She really seemed to enjoy her car ride and seemed to love being around other dogs.
In time, Piper will fully heal and find a loving forever home, leaving her troubled past behind for a joyful new life.
Drive Cautiously
Research from Pet Playgrounds indicates approximately 1.2 million dogs die in vehicle-related accidents each year.
This figure includes family pets that were not properly secured in a yard or inside a vehicle.
Traveling with your pet is enjoyable, but their safety must be ensured.
It is also vital to secure your dog if it spends time in a yard near a road.
A dog might see something enticing and run toward it, darting into the road and into danger.
Please ensure your pet is secure in the car and around roads. If you don’t have a pet, stay focused and watch for curious furry friends.