A quick-acting employee at a Waco drugstore is being credited with saving a dog’s life after the animal was found abandoned and injured inside a dumpster.
The discovery was made Tuesday morning behind a Drug Emporium store. According to store manager Scott Halvorson, the ordeal began when an employee spotted suspicious activity near the dumpster.
“One of our employees in the back room opened the door and saw a man throwing a bag into the trash,” Halvorson said. “After he drove off, she went to check and found the dog inside.”
The injured dog was still alive but in obvious distress. Halvorson said staff members immediately used a ladder to retrieve the animal and called for help.
“We were concerned the dog had been shot because of a wound on its side,” Halvorson said.
Animal control officers and volunteers from the Mama Nutmeg Foundation Rescue quickly responded, rushing the dog to Bee Creek Veterinary.
Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Britton later confirmed the dog had not been shot but had suffered significant injuries likely sustained during a fight.
“It appeared to be from a dog fight,” Dr. Britton said. “He had five fairly large puncture wounds but no broken bones.”
Thanks to the fast actions of Drug Emporium employees and rescue workers, the young dog is expected to make a full recovery.
“I think he’s going to be just fine,” Dr. Britton said. “We’ll manage his pain, monitor him for infection, and he has a very good prognosis. Being young definitely works in his favor.”
Bee Creek Veterinary and the Mama Nutmeg Foundation Rescue are currently accepting donations to support the dog’s medical care and recovery.