DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A dog found on an interstate exit in Broward County with a gash stretching down his side is finally healing at an animal hospital, as authorities investigate what appears to be a horrific case of animal abuse.
The pit bull mix, since named Zeus by those who found him, was spotted on an Interstate 595 exit in Dania Beach, late Tuesday night.
Now the canine is receiving the medical help he needs, thanks to good Samaritan Kay Khal.
“It’s really sad. I couldn’t leave this dog on the side of the road,” she said. “When I saw [the wound], it was like someone sliced him down the side to the muscle, and he was, like, gushing blood.”
Khal said it was around 10:30 p.m. when she was headed east on I-595, and she took the exit to U.S. 1.
As she came around the curve, Khal said, she saw the young dog in the middle of the roadway, in an industrial area far from homes. It appears the animal was sliced and then dumped.
“His cuts were so bad, he would have bled out, or he would have died,” said Khal. “Somebody would have come around the corner and hit him.”
Khal and others risked their own loves to rescue the injured pup.
“I got towels out of my car and a blanket and wrapped him in it,” she said.
Khal got Zeus into her vehicle and, with the help of iHeart Animal Rescue, he was taken to a veterinarian.
“We know that he’s in bad shape; he has a lot of blood loss,” said Cindy Mucciaccio with iHeart Animal Rescue.
“This dog, it looks like somebody abused him or threw him off the side of the road, or he got hit,” said Khal. “I had to do something, because I’m a cancer survivor, so I’ve got to give back.”
Zeus is being treated by Dr. Lance Weidenbaum at Deer Run Animal Hospital in Deerfield Beach.
“It looks like a flesh wound that was – my guess is a knife,” said Weidenbaum as he made a cutting motion with his hand. “He’s going to need major reconstructive surgery.”
Zeus’ treatment will be expensive, and if he recovers, he will need a home. Khal said people can help by donating, fostering or adopting.
“You guys gotta help, because these poor animals, they’re helpless, and they’ll die without our help,” she said.
If you would like to donate to iHeart Animal Rescue, click here.
Khal filed a report with the Florida Highway Patrol.
If you have any information that could help investigators, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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