NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) is asking for the public’s support as its staff slowly nurses an injured Belgian Malinois dog back to health.
Liberty was one of three dogs brought to the RISPCA from a Narragansett shopping plaza Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators believe her former owner was traveling with Liberty and 13 other dogs in his SUV from New York to Maine when he pulled over to stop them from fighting.
The dogs had to be pepper sprayed in order to be safely separated. (Courtesy: RISPCA)
“These are large dogs and it was a small SUV,” RISPCA President Wayne Kezirian told 12 News Wednesday. “This person was literally covered in dogs.”
The 14 dogs inside the man’s vehicle escaped as soon as he opened the door, according to the RISPCA, with at least three of them running into the nearby Marshalls & HomeGoods store.
Kezirian said somehow, the man was able to round up the dogs and drive them to a nearby little league field so each one could be removed from the car in an enclosed space.
RISPCA: 14 dogs ran loose in Narragansett shopping plaza
The dogs bolted from the car again, but this time began attacking Liberty in the middle of the field. Kezirian said the dogs had to be pepper sprayed in order to be safely separated.
Liberty was rushed to the RISPCA’s Animal Health Center, where veterinarians began treating and bandaging the deep bite wounds that covered her body.
Liberty was brought to the RISPCA’s Animal Medical Center for treatment. (Courtesy: RISPCA)
The RISPCA Liberty has also tested positive for Giardia, which is an intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea, weight loss and other digestive issues.
Veterinarians are now monitoring Liberty’s condition very closely. The other two dogs in the RISPCA’s care were not injured, but are also “incredibly fearful and terrified.”
“These dogs need a lot of medical care, food, and most of all, love,” the RISPCA wrote in a social media post Thursday.
Anyone interested in donating to Liberty’s care can do so online. Her medical expenses will be paid for through the RISPCA’s Tails of Hope fund, which is designated for “shelter animals in need of a little extra love to make them adoptable.”
Liberty’s former owner is not facing charges at this time since he was cooperative.
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