Sweet Pea's leg amputated

DALE CITY, Va. - An unclaimed Shih Tzu found earlier this week by an animal control officer had to have one of its legs amputated Friday, after an infection set in.

The female dog is thought to be between 6 and 8 years old, and was found in the Independent Hill area. She was taken to   the Prince William County Animal Shelter, where caretakers used a razor blade to cut away matted hair.

That’s where they discovered the 10-pound dog had been wounded.

Still, no one has come forward to claim her.

“She’s been very easy to work with. If you put her down on the floor, she was walking with three legs anyway because of the bad foot — but she wanted to run around. She was coming to people. She wants attention. She seems to like people,” said Dr. Terri Davis of Dale City Animal Hospital.

She performed the surgery that removed the dog’s left back leg.

It should take about two weeks for Sweet Pea — the name the vets affectionately gave the animal – to recover. But after that, the dog should be up and running around again with no exercise restrictions, said Davis.

Shelter officials a have no way of knowing what injured the dog, they say. Someone could have tied something to her leg or the infected wound could have been caused by the matted hair.

Despite multiple calls from residents wanting to adopt the dog, police still want to speak to its actual owner.

“This dog did come from somebody’s home. This is not the type of dog that you normally find living outdoors. It’s a very small dog, maybe 10 pounds. It has long fur…it’s more of a lap dog…not the type of dog that you would normally find living outside,” said 1st Sgt. Dawn Harmon of  the Prince William County Animal Shelter.

The owner of the dog wouldn’t necessarily face charges, but officials want the dog’s rightful owner to come forward.

The amputation and other treatments the dog has received so far have cost about $2,000, said Davis.

The treatment is being paid for by the vet hospital’s Have A Heart Fund, a charity founded so residents can donate to treat special cases like Sweet Pea’s.

“Our clients have heard about it and said ‘Hey I want to help out. I’ve had a cat or dog that’s needed help in the past. You guys have helped me so let me help the next animal.’ They’re kind of paying it forward,” said Davis.

As of Friday, the animal is owned by Prince William County. Once she is well enough, and if the owner doesn’t come forward, she will be put up for adoption, said Harmon.