Starving Dog Rescued from Island by Calif. Firefighters
Source Santa Cruz Sentinel, Calif.
May 20--WATSONVILLE -- A dog, trapped and starving on a small island in Watsonville Slough for possibly weeks, is recovering Monday after a rescue during the weekend.
Santa Cruz County Shelter officers and Watsonville firefighters found the dog in duckweed at the edge of the slough on Saturday, and ferried him to safety in an inflatable boat.
The dog was confused and lethargic. He apparently had survived by eating about 100 bird eggs, but was extremely emaciated, authorities said. He had only brackish water to drink, which could have caused organs to fail.
Based on his condition, authorities estimated the dog had been on the island near Pasadena Court for a month or more before someone reported his plight.
After the rescue, he was taken to the animal shelter, where he received immediate care from a staff veterinarian.
"This dog was literally starving to death on the island, and now he has a second chance at life," said animal shelter officer Todd Stosuy.
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Copyright 2013 - Santa Cruz Sentinel, Calif.
