I have truly always been an animal lover.
I grew up in a family of five and we always had a few cats, a dog, hamsters, gerbils or a bird in the house. My grandparents, who lived close-by, always had one or two stray dogs, which my grandfather had found hanging around the back door - he would always take them in and offer them love, food and a warm place to stay.
Dogs have always held a soft spot in my heart. To me, they offer a companionship like no other. They are there, by your side, no matter what. They are loyal and love unconditionally. I guess that's why they're referred to as man's best friend.
When photography became my passion a few years ago, I found that a lot of my subjects were dogs. They're easy to please as long as you have treats. Some of my favourite images are of dogs, taken candidly while they are playing with their favourite toy or swimming in a lake retrieving a stick.
These are a few reasons why I was emotionally affected to learn of a tragic set of events that led to a dog's violent death in St. Charles last week.
A four-year-old German shepherd mix dog nicknamed Buddy was found by a bus driver on the side of the road, bleeding profusely from open wounds on the head and neck and clinging to life. He had been shot with a shotgun twice in the face, leaving him with severe life-threatening injuries.
His rescuer immediately brought him to the Walden Animal Hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery to remove more than 50 pellets from his face and neck area from the shotgun blasts. Miraculously, the prognosis after the surgery was favourable and all signs pointed to Buddy making a full recovery.
I watched in horror and disbelief as pictures were shown of Buddy's injuries and the reconstruction of his face after surgery. Everyone I speak to about it had one question on their minds: Who could do such a thing, and why?
Buddy underwent a second surgery on March 9 to repair and remove many broken teeth; however, he did not make it through the surgery. He died of heart complications. Sadly, the loss of blood was too much for his heart to recover from.
Even though Buddy's rescuer offered to pay for Buddy's vet bills and adopt him, people from far and wide, who heard of Buddy's story, donated money to help pay for his recovery and, in fact, the Walden Animal Hospital has received much more than was necessary to cover the cost, money which will be put into the recently established Buddy Trust - a fund in Buddy's memory, to help other animals who can be cared for and taken out of abusive situations. Also, they will be building a wishing well memorial, where Buddy's ashes will be laid to rest.
Buddy’s owner was tracked down and interviewed. We got the answers we were seeking. Buddy's real name was Spot and, according to the owner, a mother of small children, he had become aggressive and unpredictable with children. She admitted to recruiting a family friend, who agreed to "humanely put Buddy down” in the woods, something which, due to archaic laws, is completely legal on farm land.
However, the shooter botched the job terribly, which left Buddy lying on the side of the road, clinging to life after running three kilometres through the woods, probably in a state of shock. Should this be legal? I don't think so. I think a pet deserves to be euthanized in a humane manner at the end of its life.
Glenn Thibeault, Sudbury MP, read a petition in the House of Commons this past November to bring change to the laws against animal cruelty. He will be petitioning again soon as it is something his constituents have asked for. I think it's time to take a look at the laws, as nothing has been reviewed since 1892.
If there's something positive to come of all this, it has brought the community together in such a way to elicit change to animal cruelty laws. Let's be the change, let's make it happen. Petitions are being circulated and are being signed by citizens worldwide, calling for stiffer punishments for animal abusers and changes to outdated laws.
If Buddy's story has touched you, there is a walk taking place on March 18 from noon to 3 p.m., beginning at the Terry Fox Sports Complex, to raise awareness for this issue. There is a Facebook page called Buddy The Hero Dog’s Walk for Justice.
If you would like to donate to the Buddy Trust, contact the Walden Animal Hospital at 705- 692-4446.
If you see incidents of animal abuse, call the OSPCA at 1-888-668-7722 ext. 327 or email [email protected].
Janet Young is an amateur photographer who likes to share community events with Sudburians.
