B.C. dog seeks home after suffering traumatic injuries in train accident
A dog that was hit by a train earlier this month in B.C. is recovering and seeking a foster home.
According to the BC SPCA, on Dec. 8, CN railway workers noticed something on the train tracks in the railyard: a dog.
The pooch was helpless and unmoving, BC SPCA says. She was also in “obvious medical distress,” and the SPCA deduced he was hit by a slow-moving train.
“The CN workers rushed her to the BC SPCA Kamloops for care, where she was immediately brought to a vet for urgent medical attention,” BC SPCA said in an email to Daily Hive.
Folks who were taking care of the dog originally had referred to it as “train stray,” but now they’ve affectionately named her Bannock.
Despite their efforts, BC SPCA animal centre staff were not able to identify a guardian.
“It is believed Bannock is an Australian Shepherd and Kelpie mix, around two years of age. The resilient pup has sustained several serious injuries from the accident,” BC SPCA said.
BC SPCA
BC SPCA said that Bannock was found with her tail “traumatically amputated,” and the animal rescue organization believes it was severed by the train. Her front left paw, injured in the accident, will also need to be amputated.
“Additionally, she is suffering from multiple abrasions and lacerations, a hemorrhage on her eye, and a fractured tooth that will require extraction.”
Bannock is currently receiving pain management treatment before her scheduled stories on Dec. 31. She is also on antibiotics to ward off infections.
“We want to commend how incredible the CN workers’ response was. They acted so quickly to get this dog the care she needed,” says Dana Coulter, animal care supervisor at the BC SPCA Kamloops, in a statement.
“They’ve even reached out to check in and see how she’s doing. It’s really touching. She has a long road ahead of her, but her story could have had a much different ending without them.”
BC SPCA said that Bannock hasn’t minded being on strict kennel rest and that she has enjoyed being cozied up in the kennel, lounging on her blankets.
Coulter also said that the staff and volunteers have fallen in love with Bannock.
“She has the most soulful eyes, and she’s so tolerant of us. Despite the immense amount of pain she has been through, she always gives every single one of us a tail wag whenever she sees us. In addition to pain medication, it’s not uncommon for us to offer sedation for dogs when they’re in such rough shape, but Bannock just has such a calm and gentle demeanour; she hasn’t
If you’d like to donate to support this B.C. dog, you can do so on the SPCA website. As of the time of publication, $1,909 has been raised of a $4,301 goal.