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Honey, a Chihuahua suffering from multple broken bones and other injuries, possibly caused by abuse, is being cared for by Kenosha Animal Hospital and the rescue group Kenosha Forgotten Friends. ( KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY DENEEN SMITH )
A dog with serious injuries believed to be caused by abuse is getting a second chance thanks to a Kenosha veterinarian and a local rescue group.
Honey, a 1½-year-old chihuahua, arrived at Kenosha Animal Hospital last week unable to walk. Her owners told veterinarians she had been injured when she became stuck under a fence.
The owners said they were unable to afford veterinary care for the dog, so Dr. William Carlisle, one of the practice owners, asked them to surrender ownership of the dog to Kenosha Forgotten Friends, a pet rehabilitation and rescue group formed last year with his help to focus on caring for and finding homes for tough-to-adopt dogs and cats.
Carlisle said once veterinarians were able to examine Honey, they found multiple serious fractures, and they suspected the dog was abused. She had a recent displaced fracture to her right hind leg, an older, unhealed displaced fracture to her left hind leg, and even older fractures to three ribs. She also had bruising around one eye.
"This little dog appears to have sustained three horribly traumatic injuries," Carlisle said.
He said the veterinary radiologist who examined her X-rays said the fractures appeared to have been caused by blunt force trauma, possibly from being kicked.
Multiple injuriesVeterinarians believe the fracture to Honey's left leg, broken in three places, occurred at least three weeks earlier based on rounded callus formations at the ends of the broken bones. The right leg fracture, which appears to have occurred last week, left her femur broken in four places.
"She had to have experienced absolutely horrible pain," Carlisle said.
The fractures to three ribs, Carlisle said, appear to have occurred as long as eight to 12 weeks ago.
Honey had surgery to repair her fractured legs last Wednesday. The older fracture was difficult to repair because of its age. Carlisle did a second surgery on the leg Tuesday and said the dog may need one or two additional surgeries on the leg.
"She deserves it after everything she has gone through," Carlisle said of the dog's veterinary care, which he said would cost $5,000 to $6,000.
Sandy Majest, president of Kenosha Forgotten Friends, said the group is raising money for Honey's care. Ultimately, she said, the group will work to find an adoptive home for the dog.
Carlisle said the animal hospital reported Honey's case to the Kenosha Police Department as suspected animal abuse. Police closed the case without charges after speaking to the dog owners and observing that "it appeared an animal had attempted to pass underneath the fence" in the yard.
Carlisle said he understood police decision.
"I have a great deal of respect for the Kenosha Police Department, and we appreciate all their efforts," Carlisle said.
Pet rehabilitation and rescueMajest said she worked with Carlisle to launch Kenosha Forgotten Friends last year. The rescue group works with special-need animals that are difficult to place.
Sometimes the dogs or cats have medical conditions that need treatment before adoption, and sometimes they have chronic medical conditions that need management.
Along with Honey, Kenosha Forgotten Friends also is caring for an older Great Pyrenees that came into their care after its elderly owner died. The dog needed extensive surgery to remove tumors and is now recovering in a foster home.
​Kenosha, WI 53141