POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A Pompano Beach firefighter came to the rescue of a badly injured puppy that was abandoned in a crate at her fire station.
According to the City of Pompano Beach, firefighter/paramedic Nicole Velarde was returning from a call on Sunday when she found the 5-month-old terrier mix puppy inside the station’s truck bay. The puppy had severe wounds all along his back.
“I think it’s in our nature to want to save lives,” said Velarde. “Again, I know it sounds corny, but it’s what we do.”
Velarde discovered none of the other firefighters knew who left the puppy at the station. She brought him inside, where she bandaged him up and fed him.
“I walked inside and said, ‘Hey, what’s up with this dog out there?’ and they were like ‘What dog?'” said Velarde.
The abandoned dog had burned and infected skin from his neck to his tail. Velarde then took him to the veterinarian’s office.
“They called me yesterday, Sunday, and I told them what to do,” said Dr. Ember Moreno of the Sunshine Animal Hospital. “They had a bandage over his wound, and that was a big help. I think somebody tried to kill him and put either some chemical or some hot oil or water on his back.”
The veterinarian said the puppy, who has since been nicknamed “Scruffy” must be sedated to determine how badly he was injured, as he was in too much pain to examine while conscious. Scruffy was scheduled to undergo surgery Monday.
“He’s a very affectionate doggy,” said Moreno. “He was wagging his tail and never showed any signs of aggression.”
Velarde has now started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the puppy’s medical costs.
“I would love to keep him, you know,” said Velarde. “I can’t even give back what they give to us. They give so much love, so it’s worth it in the end.”
He’s expected to make a full recovery.
WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOS BELOW
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