Abandoned puppy treated at animal clinic, searches for new home

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida animal clinic is hoping they can find a home for a puppy found abandoned in a supermarket.

Miami-Dade firefighters discovered the young canine last Sunday inside a shopping cart at a Publix supermarket in Southwest Miami-Dade. They named her Maggie because maggots were eating away at one of her legs when they found her. "It's something that had been rotting for a little while," said the clinic's Nate Watarz about Maggie's injury.

The firefighters, who spotted the pooch during their lunch break, think Maggie had been hit by a car. Fire Rescue Lt. Craig Thornton said he would not let Maggie, a Labrador mix, remain on the streets. "We had one of the firefighters bring the dog to the firehouse," he said.

Thornton said that when he first saw her, she was in very bad shape. "We started an IV on her at the fire station. We cleaned up the wound as much as we could, and then we had someone transport the dog over to here," he said, referring to the Knowles Snapper Creek Animal Clinic, where Maggie is currently being treated.

"The right leg at the time [she arrived] was fractured right through the femur," indicated Dr. LaShonn McNair, a veterinarian at the clinic, as she pointed at an X-ray. Vets, who believe Maggie to be about a year old, were forced to amputate her rear, right leg.

Maggie will need another surgery to correct her remaining back leg. After that, vets expect her to make a full recovery.

Now, what everyone involved in Maggie's rescue wants is to give the dog a loving, responsible new owner. "We're glad we could help her out. Now we just need to find her a good home," said Watarz.

After Maggie's surgery is finished, doctors said, she will be put up for adoption. "I'm sure there's a home out there for this dog," said Watarz. "I'm sure it's going to grow up to be a great dog."

A fund has been set up to pay for Maggie's medical bills. If you want to help, please log on to:
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cRHb8?feed=story

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