Firu: Spirit Unbroken

[Ann]

With all the animal lovers on this site, I'm surprised no one has posted about Firu yet. He's a large dog with adorable, expressive eyes who was dragged behind a truck on September 17th. He has been rescued and is being cared for by some lovely people in North Carolina, where the incident took place. You've got to look through his Facebook page (doesn't everyone have one these days?) and see the progress he has made so far. When he looks into the camera on his videos on You Tube, your heart will melt. Srsly.

I can't believe what trust this animal has in people after all the pain he's been through.

Scroll past the photo for the story as reported the next day.

Dog Dragged Behind Truck in North Carolina - A Struggle for his Recovery Ensues

North Carolina - It is difficult to view the photos of Firu. The large dog is covered in road burns so severe that portions of his skin are missing entirely.

Firu is a 1.5 yr old Boxer/American Bulldog mix that was recently taken in by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control after it was discovered that his owner had dragged him behind his vehicle.

How could something like this happen? The owner claimed to have been drinking. He had tied the dog to the bumper of his truck and then forgot about him....he proceeded to drive home. An act of utterly cruel negligence.

Firu suffered massive injuries to his entire body. His paws are bloodied, with portions missing. His skin is gone in many areas - there are too many road burns to count.

Samantha Hodge, an independent rescuer, heard about Firu's plight and she has taken him in. The dog is currently at her vet, Dr. Tom Wellrich at the Animal Hospital of East Burke.

Firu is receiving pain medication, his wounds have been dressed and he is getting the rest and care that he requires to recover from his horrendous injuries.

Firu's vet bills will be astronomical. This hasn't stopped Hodge from her desire to provide for the wounded dog. Firu's owner failed him in a horrible way - he is now in the care of people that refuse to allow him to be let down again. more...

[anniebc]

OMG..I hadn't heard anything about this Ann, I couldn't look at the photo's on his FB page,..I hope they Fucking rip his owner apart...or better still throw him into a room full of animal lovers, and let them skin the bastard alive.

Such a beatiful dog, I can't imagine the pain he must have been in.

Jan

[BT65]

Wow, that poor creature.  I simply cannot stand cruelty to animals.  And there needs to be tougher laws.  Firu definitely has a wonderful spirit, which is usually the case with these animals.  No matter how much they have been hurt, they are always willing to give another human a chance, if shown some kindness. 

Hopefully the previous owner will pay dearly.  I hate this kind of shit.

[emeraldize]

As I read this, another truck, dragging death story in the South came to mind. While I pity this poor pooch's state, the death of James Byrd, intentionally dragged behind a truck still sends horror waves through me. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25008925/

[WillyWump]

We need more people like Samantha Hodge in this world.

-Will

[numbersguy82]

What a story and I agree WW there are so many wonderful selfless people out there doing just incredible things, and we could use more.

Thanks for sharing Ann I am such an animal lover myself so I will def be donating. Interesting name I wonder what it's origins are?

[Ann]

OMG..I hadn't heard anything about this Ann, I couldn't look at the photo's on his FB page,..I hope they Fucking rip his owner apart...or better still throw him into a room full of animal lovers, and let them skin the bastard alive.

Such a beatiful dog, I can't imagine the pain he must have been in.

Jan

Jan, the more recent photos aren't that bad. In fact, none of them are too bad because there aren't any from the first week when he was at his worst. His recovery so far has been amazing. I'm sure all that love he's being surrounded by has quite a bit to do with it.

I think it's the most recent video is the one where he wags his tail for the first time. A very momentous moment for a dog who couldn't even stand up for the first week or so after the incident.

As I read this, another truck, dragging death story in the South came to mind. While I pity this poor pooch's state, the death of James Byrd, intentionally dragged behind a truck still sends horror waves through me. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25008925/

I thought about that story too, Em. I don't understand how anyone can be so horrifically cruel to another living being. I get upset when I step on a snail in my garden.

[GSOgymrat]

This was in today's newspaper.

Three dogs — horribly abused — benefit from veterinary care at shelter

GREENSBORO — One of two dogs burned over the summer has completed his rehabilitation and soon will be up for adoption. Phoenix, a 7-month-old pit bull-labrador mix, is close to finishing his stay at the Guilford County Animal Shelter. “We are thinking he’s at the point where he won’t require any more surgeries,” said Dana King, assistant director of the shelter. “He’s progressed nicely.” The dog, which was taken to a veterinary clinic July 18, was burned while tied up behind a home along Maury Lane.

Four youths, whose cases are pending in court, are accused of pouring lighter fluid on a cloth, attaching it to the puppy and setting him on fire. They were arrested July 30. Phoenix suffered second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body. The wounds became infected and required skin grafts.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/10/01/article/three_dogs_horribly_abused_benefit_from_veterinary_care_at_shelter

Here is a video of one of the dogs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziQu7Hs8p_U&feature=player_embedded#!

[BT65]

This was in today's newspaper.

Three dogs — horribly abused — benefit from veterinary care at shelter

GREENSBORO — Four youths, whose cases are pending in court, are accused of pouring lighter fluid on a cloth, attaching it to the puppy and setting him on fire. They were arrested July 30. Phoenix suffered second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body. The wounds became infected and required skin grafts.

That's so horrible.  And people who do those kind of acts to animals, will almost always eventually do it to a human.

In the local paper here today, there was an article about a man being charged with "felony animal cruelty and mutilation," after he had beaten his young pitbull so bad, one of the dog's eyes came out.  Neighbors had called the police, who found the dog barely alive, and a fresh small grave dug.  The dog had to be put down.  Just unbelievable.

[john33]

I'm absolutely gob smacked!!

I can't understand (and frankly don't want to go there) what motivates people to do these sort of horrific things.