Animal shelter asks community to help sick puppy

A local animal shelter is trying to raise money for a little German shepherd that is in need of an expensive surgery. The puppy, 8-week-old Brandon, ended up at the Elmsford Animal Shelter when his owner

News 12 Staff

•

Aug 9, 2008, 12:29 AM

•

Updated 5,979 days ago

A local animal shelter is trying to raise money for a little German shepherd that is in need of an expensive surgery.

The puppy, 8-week-old Brandon, ended up at the Elmsford Animal Shelter when his owner abandoned him, unable to afford the dog?s medical care.

"If he would've [gone] anywhere else, they probably wouldn't have given him a second chance, they probably would've euthanized him," says Lucy Vicidomini, the shelter?s supervisor.

Vicidomini says Brandon suffers from a rare genetic condition. The dog?s knees and all of his muscles and soft tissue are not growing at a normal rate.

Brandon's surgery requires pins to be inserted into his legs in hopes that one day he could walk normally again, although there is no guarantee the operation will be successful.

"We don't really know what his chances are after the surgery,? says Vicidomini. ?We're just hoping for the best.?

The operation is expected to cost $4,000. The shelter, which cares for about 1,000 animals, cannot foot the bill and is asking the community for help.

For information about donations, go to Elmford Animal Shelter.