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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Neglected Pit Bull, Tonka, Needs More Help and Prayers


I honestly thought Ed the basset hound's medical condition was the worst case of neglect until I read about Tonka's condition in the New Hampshire Union Leader yesterday. Believe me, Ed looked scarily skinny when I met him on December 21st but if I saw Tonka's exposed bones on December 27th I would have been more horrified than ever.


Who could look at this dog and not think to feed him? And who could look into Tonka's eyes and not realize he needs medical attention? Apparently Tonka's owner did not look too closely at his/her family pet but thankfully Tonka's neighbors did what the owner should have done long ago; they called for help. When Manchester Animal Control Officer Neal Vogler arrived at the scene he stated that this was the worst case of animal neglect that he had ever seen.



When the officer brought Tonka into the Veterinary Emergency Center of Manchester, Tonka had wounds to his tail that required amputation due to loss of blood flow, decubital ulcers which are like bedsores for humans, and frostbite on his feet. In addition, Tonka only weighed 29 pounds which is half of what he should weigh to be considered healthy.

This is what Tonka looked like this morning! What a difference 13 days make!
Tonka has reportedly gained 7 pounds and is enjoying a routine of diet and exercise at the emergency center. However, the long term effects of neglect will require that Tonka receive multiple surgeries which The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is covering but there is also an established "Tonka Medical Fund" to help cover Tonka's medical bills, which are nearing $2,000. She said any money donated to the fund either online or by mail will go toward Tonka's medical expenses.

Donations to Tonka's medical fund can be sent here:
FMAS
P.O. Box 393
Manchester, NH 03105
Or:
Manchester Animal Shelter 490 Dunbarton Rd. Manchester, NH 03102

24 comments:

  1. That is heartbreaking. I will never understand how people can let an animal suffer that way. I know that I could never do it. Isn't a shame that people aren't punished severely for inflicting this kind of harm to a dog?

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  2. Oh my, I don't know how anyone could do that to an animal. It absolutely breaks my heart and is just sick of a human to do that.
    Thank you so much for all you do for animals...

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  3. Makes me want to cry... what horrible people there are in the world. Shame on them.
    ~Maggie

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  4. Lord, have mercy! I hope this poor doggie finds a good new home soon. Get better! Woof woof. :)

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  5. Oh my heavens. I do not understand some two-leggers. We're saying lots of prayers for Tonka!! I'm so glad she's getting the love and care she needs.

    Sad wags,
    Zona

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  6. OMG animal abusers should be locked away.. Paws crossed for Tonka!!! Get well soon.

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  7. How horrible for this poor sweet doggie! How could his hoomans allow this to happen? grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
    Our paws are crossed that he makes it back to 100% soon.

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  8. Oh Tonka!! Poor doggy!! That's just terrible. I'm just glad she's with good people now. It's so heartbreaking to see how she was before she was saved.

    Take care
    x

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  9. Hi! We're here with the Saturday Pet Blog Hop! The picture of that starving dog is so sad. How could anyone let an animal starve in front of them? We hope that his "owners" were punished.

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  10. I heard about this poor baby! I am praying for him!

    Your pal, Pip

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  11. Mom is saying bad words some thing about wanting to starve its owner/neglector. So terribly sad. Prayers to the poor baby
    Snuggles,
    Benny & Lily

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  12. Shocking photos, but I'm always amazed at dog's ability to love again, trust again and move forward. Thanks for stopping by to visit us. We've added ourselves to your "followers."

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  13. wow. I bet this sweetheart did nothing but love someone their whole life and look what a nasy human could do. Its amazing that people decide to get a dog just to do this.

    Our hearts and love go out to sweet Tonka.

    Nova

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  14. It is very shocking to think that someone would neglect a dog who depends on their owner for love, companionship, food, and shelter. I believe pets of every kind become an owner's responsibility from the moment they are adopted. Apparently Tonka's owner just thought (if he even thought at all) that his/her dog was just a piece of property. I am sure Tonka is having the time of his life at the clinic right now and he deserves all of the love he can get!

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  15. OMG! Poor Tonka! I hope he gets a family that truly deserves him soon.

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  16. I wish these lousy people, who allowed this to happen, are jailed, starved or neglected in return. Hope Tonka finds a forever home.

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  17. Heaven help the people that did this! God bless you and all that are giving him the care and love that he is long over due.

    Thanks for stopping by Lucy's.

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  18. I love your blog, and most of all, I love the love you have for animals. But, your blog makes me cry. Really, it makes me cry.

    Please, understand that I am not accusing or complaining, I am just telling you. You have a huge heart and, may be, these posts with animals suffering this much will open someone's eyes and make them understand.

    On the other hand, they (the ones that do these awfull things) would never come here, would they? Miserable bas....ds!!

    You have my deepest respect and admiration!
    xoxo

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  19. God Bless you for all you do. This is horrible and I feel the people that did this should be punished the same way. We are sending lots of drool to Tonka and the power of the paw for a speedy recovery.

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  20. UGH that is SO SO SICK! People can be so cruel. Poor Tonka.......thankfully there are people like you out there to help!

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  21. Oh dear, poor dog... From those pictures, I'd say Tonka was lucky to still be alive. How can someone just keep an animal like that and do nothing while the poor thing is wasting away?

    I'm so happy someone did something about this...

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  22. I donated and I hope everyone will give what they can. As the shelter told me...Every cent counts. God Bless you Tonka.

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  23. When I see something like this I have to think what is wrong with people who do this to their own dog.

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  24. A dog will never understand why you let it do something one day and the next day he gets punished for the same behavior. Pit bulls

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