Terry Sparrow and his fiancée Krista Brisk were walking along the park’s famous path when they came across a horrific scene. Sparrow went to throw away some chewing gum in a trash can and was surprised to see a pair of eyeballs staring back at him. A small toy poodle was found among the rubble.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was really surprised, scared and heartbreaking,” Sparrow later told Global News.
A couple found a dog in a garbage bin at Pacific Trail Park in Vancouver, Canada, last night. They were shocked by the sight and recorded a video to give to police.
Brisk gently pulled the puppy out of the trash can and hugged him to her.
They took the dog home and named him Oscar. They could see he was hurt because he couldn’t stand or walk and was in “suffering and pain.”
Brisk rinsed him thoroughly and gave him some food, which he ate.
The next morning, they took him to the vet and notified the RCMP, SPCA, Park Rangers and Animal Control that they had found Oscar. An investigation is currently underway.
At the clinic, they discovered that Oscar likely had neurological problems and that the right side of his body was not working properly. Tests showed that he had broken ribs, a dislocated hip and spinal compression. He is believed to be around ten years old and although he has a microchip, it is unregistered.
Their friends Laurie Schildt and Lorrie Cole, who rescue animals and run the Squamish Neighbourhood Animal Partnership and Protection Society (SNAPPS), now care for Oscar.
Cole wrote on Facebook: “His injuries indicate he was either severely abused or hit by a car. We are unsure at this time.
She added: “The police are investigating and taking this very seriously to find out who did this to him and put him in the bin to die. For now, we are allowing him to rest and recover from this traumatic experience.”
Oscar has undergone additional tests and will need two surgeries, but he has a treatment plan and is currently recovering at Schildt’s home. She has started taking him for walks in the stroller, which he enjoys, and he is a very resilient dog.
“He’s full of life. He just got dealt a bad hand, but dogs are so resilient and I can’t believe he’s coming back,” she told CBC News.
Oscar will require surgery for a severely fractured front leg and a dislocated left hip. Fortunately, there appears to be no damage to his neck and his organs are fine. He will undergo surgery this week and will be under constant monitoring at Canwest Veterinary Hospital where he is receiving care.
Schildt added: “Tomorrow will be a difficult day for Oscar, but he is well on his way to being pain-free.” His recovery time will be 6 to 8 weeks. He will spend the night in the hospital after surgery, and I will take him home on Wednesday. He will require around-the-clock care, and I am prepared to provide that.”
She said: “I would like to thank everyone for their continued love and support for Oscar. He has truly stolen the hearts of the community.”
Oscar has successfully completed his surgeries and is doing great. He will be able to return to his foster home in the next day or two, and veterinarians expect him to fully recover from surgery in a few months. The veterinary hospital staff said, “He has quickly become a fan favorite.”
More great news: Schildt has agreed to adopt Oscar. “I lost my little dog a year ago. So it’s a little bittersweet. “I saved [her], and now Oscar’s come into my life,” she told Daily Hive. She explained, “I’m just in love. His eyes and personality have stayed the same since I’ve known him. And his story. Leaving him there and treating him like nothing happened. Watching his resilience and trustworthiness. It melts my heart.”