Rocko, a Neapolitan Mastiff, was brutally abused by his owners that abandoned him. Abandoning him is probably the best gift they gave him.
According to the St. Augustine Record, the abuse that Rocko endured is as follows:
- They cut off his ears with a pair of scissors.
- They broke the top two vertebrae of his spine.
- They made him stand in a pen full of filth, which gave his claws an incurable fungal infection.
- And to top it off, they left him outside in that pen while they moved to Pennsylvania.
Despite that savage treatment, the 136-pound dog loves everyone he meets and his foster mother, Julie Kingsley of the no-kill rescue group Wags & Whiskers, says Rocko loves people.
Elliot Mintzer of St. Augustine, a pilot for HelpFourPaws, an animal transport organization, said Monday that he has organized a fund to help pay Rocko's medical bills.
In addition to Rocko's horrid injuries, he also has two eye ailments - one a disease named "cherry eyes" and the other a large growth on his upper eyelids that causes dry eye. Rocko's already squinting and can barely see. If not treated for both conditions, he could go blind.
Dr. Gary Shelton, of Shelton Veterinarian Clinic, who specializes in eyes and bones and has offices in Elkton and Interlachen, has said he'll do Rocko's eye surgery at cost, which is about $500, Elliot Mintzer said. If the community raises $250, Elliot Mintzer will match that.
Can you help? Pay Pal can be used donations. Donors can also mail a check to HelpFourPaws office at 303-B Anastasia Blvd., Suite 160, St. Augustine 32080. For more information call (904) 333-8949.
Rocko also needs a loving home. Do you have a teenager that needs a boost of self-esteem? Did you know that canine therapy is extremely beneficial to teens that are struggling with depression, stress or simply have low or no self-worth. Being able to care for a pet and especially helping them to heal back to good health can be gratifying for the caretaker as well as for the patient (dog).
This may be a perfect opportunity to build your teen's confidence and give a loving pet a good and safe home.
Click here to see more pictures of Rocko.
HelpFourPaws is sponsoring its first annual Charity Golf Event on Sunday, November 7th, at Royal St. Augustine Golf Club with its Day of Adoption. The Golf Club's golf tournament will kick off at 8:30 a.m., the putting contest, called "Putts for Paws," starts at 11 a.m. Tickets for the putting contest are $5.
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