SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A dog found alone and badly hurt is heading home after being nursed back to health at a South Florida animal hospital, but his road to recovery is not over just yet.
Phantom, a 1-year-old lab-terrier mix, is getting a lot of love after a rough few days. Earlier this week, an off-duty Miami-Dade Fire Rescue captain and his daughter found the dog, clearly in need of help, at a Marathon gas station in the Redlands.
“[My daughter] went inside to pay, and when she came out, the dog was following her,” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. Jeff Fobb told 7News on Wednesday.
“It was in really bad shape. It was missing a lot of skin off of its head,” said Kiera Fobb, Jeff’s daughter.
Phantom was taken to Crossroads Animal Hospital in Kendall, where vets performed surgery on the pup. “He had a big laceration on his head. We fixed him up,” said Dr. Cecelia Gordon.
The vet believes Phantom may have been hit by a driver who never bothered to get him any medical attention and left him for dead. His injuries were so severe that 7News blurred graphic photos of the his wounds the Fobbs posted on Facebook when they asked for help.
It was a call that was answered. A nonprofit animal rescue group reached out to lend a helping hand. “I was actually able to head right over,” said Jennifer Alvarez with Just Jacks Animal Rescue. “I actually was with him while he was having surgery.”
Aaron Idiaquez signed up to provide foster care. “After seeing his pictures, I was appalled,” he said.
A line of stitches now stretches across most of Phantom’s face. As Idiaquez prepared to take him home on Saturday, he said he finds it hard to believe that someone could just leave an animal in such poor condition without seeking aid. “How can you leave this face on the road like that?” he said.
But thanks to a few big hearts, Phantom has been given a second chance. “He loves to give kisses, and he’s going to be a great to somebody, whoever the is lucky enough who gets to adopt him,” said Gordon.
“Hopefully he adjusts well,” said Idiaquez.
Phantom will still need follow-up medical care and medications.
If you would like to help, contact Just Jacks Rescue, the 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been caring for Phantom since he was taken to the hospital
To make a donation to help pay for Phantom’s medical costs, you can donate through PayPal using the email Justjacksrescue@gmail.com, or you can call in donations directly to Crossroads Animal Hospital at (305) 279-2000.
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