Rescue Tails / “Dutchess”

Rescue Tails / “Dutchess”

There is a big myth surrounding animal control. Sadly the image of the old “dog catcher” still stands in many peoples minds. There is a common accusation that as animal control we just “want to take their dog.” The reality is, the Florida Keys SPCA believes in community animal control and we do our best to keep pets in the home when we can. However; when an animal needs to be removed from a home our officers work with local law enforcement and attorneys to make a case. This case is about Dutchess.

We were first called out to do a welfare check on Dutchess in January of 2017. She had a litter of puppies and her owner had separated the puppies far too young and was selling them. By the time our office in Marathon was tipped off, just one puppy was left. The puppy was taken to a local Vet and treated for dehydration and worms. Our officers told the owner that the mother dog needed to see a Veterinarian as well.

Unfortunately the owner never made the appointment and we had to intervene for the health and safety of the dog. The doctor determined that Dutchess was suffering from two severe infections one in her mammary glands known as mastitis and one in her uterus called pyometra. Both are common infections in unaltered female dogs and dogs that had recently had puppies. These conditions are entirely preventable, if she had been spayed. She would need emergency surgery to remove the infection after a course of medications to help her gain the strength she needed to survive the dangerous operation. Once again, we made the appointment and returned Dutchess to her owner with a promise she would make the surgical appointment.

Once again her owner failed to make the appointment and this time it was life or death. Dutchess was seized and taken to the Vet not a minute to soon. Her temperature had skyrocketed the infection was raging and surgery was performed. Thanks to our incredibly talented and hard working Vets her life was saved, but because her owner had neglected her for so long permanent damage was done. The infection had spread to her kidney’s causing renal failure, at only one year old.

Now the fight was on for Dutchess. It took our officers with help from the state attorney’s office nearly two years to finally have the court order permanent custody of Dutchess to our Marathon Campus. After a long hard fight Dutchess can only now be adopted into a loving family home. Unfortunately her kidney disease is irreversible but it can be maintained with regular Veterinary visits and special diet. If you have room in your home and heart for a very special dog that has waited so long for a home be sure to call our Marathon Campus at 305-743-4800 and ask for Dutchess.

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