There is a reason why animal welfare groups (AWG) adoption process is not as easy as simply walking into a shop to get an animal. Our checks have to be stringent to ensure that we are handing the animal over to responsible people who will put utmost importance into the welfare of the animal. A little shih tzu we have named Buddy is our first rescue of 2022. He was surrendered to us, by his owner. Having come from a home, you would expect a dog that is fairly well-kept but the mangy thing that was handed to us hardly looked like a dog!
 |
| Took us a while to make out what we were looking at |
 |
| Ear tumour that was left untreated for more than a year |
Someone had written in to request us to rehome their mother's dog. They said the dog, a shih tzu, was about 7 years old. He was purchased from a shop by their late father and was left to their mother after he passed. The mother became Buddy's caregiver over the years. Due to personal circumstances, they requested us to help rehome the dog. Based on the description "he has lumps on his body and ear and is not very active for a 7 year old", we had expected a shih tzu with some skin lumps as some older dogs are prone to.
 |
| This was the shocking photo that his owner's emailed us that got us into immediate action |
However, the photo that was made available upon our request horrified us. He looked even worse than the dogs we rescue off the streets that we made arrangements to pick him up immediately.
 |
| Countless warts growing on his neck and body |
What they said was "lumps on his body and ear" turned out to be multiple abscesses and skin tumours. Most of the abscesses were pus-filled and leaking, the biggest of which was the one on his ear and he was whining in pain when they handed him over to us. How can anyone bear to watch a dog suffer for 12 months like that is beyond us! He was also skin and bones and seemed very thirsty and hungry. He was obviously not even given the basic grooming maintenance and had bald spots, overgrown nails and overall, just looked like a sorry mess. We could also tell that he had poor vision and lots of rotten teeth just by looking at him.
 |
| Rotten teeth, gums with pus and more warts all over his little face |
The vet said he was closer to 15 years of age than 7. Buddy is still warded at the vet and he underwent two surgeries. The first surgery on 7 January removed the huge abscess on his ear. The growth was massive and weighed about 300g+. Normally, this should have been done under GA, given the size of the growth and how close it is to the facial nerves and blood vessels. However, given Buddy's immuno-compromised state and age, this had to be done under LA. Even prepping him for surgery took longer than usual given how filthy he was. Another growth at the side of his face was also removed at the same time, though this looked like a wart, (one of many on Buddy's body) and both samples will be sent for histopathology. A second surgery was performed on 13 January to remove his rotten teeth, castrate his abnormal testicles and remove the many many warts on his body.
 |
| Sweet little Buddy after his first surgery to remove his ear tumour, which weighed 350gm |
 |
| 2 trays of warts were removed from all over Buddy's body during his second surgery one week later |
Buddy is the worst case of neglect that we have seen in all our years of rescue. We have reported his case to the authorities for neglect and abuse. We cannot fathom how anyone can take in a living being and treat them like this. Owning pets is like having children. They are a long time commitment and will demand time, money and effort to care for. Deciding to bring a pet into the family is like planning to have children - it should not be decided on a whim. Just like when having children, owning a pet should be discussed with everyone in the household as the pet will permanently be sharing the space with everyone and everyone should be on board with that. Pets are like babies, they rely on us to take care of their basic needs. Don't bring a pet into the family, just as you wouldn't bring a baby into the family, if you are not ready to commit to its care for the long haul.
 |
| After surgery, his little ear could finally flap down; he must have felt so much lighter and relieved |
That's why AWG needs to be stringent in their adoption process, and why the pet industry itself should be more regulated. It is to prevent such horrific cases from happening. People need to be held accountable for their behaviour. While we are upset at the state in which Buddy was handed over to us, we are still somewhat grateful that he was surrendered to us at all.
 |
| As little Buddy says, tighten animal welfare laws in Singapore so that this will never happen to other dogs! |
The prognosis is rather bleak at the moment but we have hope and we will work towards his recovery so that he can enjoy the life he deserves. Given his dire state, Buddy's vet bill is only going to rise from now on. If you would like to contribute to his bills, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg
