Dog found tied to tree needed amputation, Texas shelter says. He now needs an adoption

An injured dog found tied to a tree near a Texas animal shelter has a second chance thanks to those who found him.

Staff at Austin Pets Alive! found the labradoodle outside its facility and gave him the name Independence Day, according to a July 8 post on Facebook.

The shelter said one of the dog’s legs was “mangled,” an injury so severe that he needed the leg amputated. Part of the bone of the leg was exposed, said Dr. Alexis Bardzinski, who told KVUE the pup’s leg was “very badly infected.”

“This pup’s leash was tangled, like he had been trying to get free for hours,” the shelter said in the Facebook post. “His damaged foot was bandaged and a cone was on the ground nearby. It seems like someone wanted to get him the care he needed, but couldn’t do more than hope we’d find him. We’re glad we did.”

Despite the circumstances that led to him arriving at the shelter, he was shown smiling in several photos, something that Facebook commenters noticed.

“Poor baby. In true doodle fashion, he’s still smiling even though he’s been abandoned or lost/stolen/found and is probably in great pain,” one commenter said.

The shelter asked for donations to fund Independence Day’s surgery. His leg was eventually amputated, KVUE reported.

Independence Day weighs 31 pounds and is estimated to be 18 months old, according to his adoption listing.

“He’s a very easygoing dog,” Bardzinski told KVUE. “Very good. You know, we’ve just had him in the kennel. Very sweet, loving.”

The shelter said Independence Day will be available for adoption after he heals from his surgery.

This story was originally published July 10, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Dog found tied to tree needed amputation, Texas shelter says. He now needs an adoption."