The stranded dog's paws were bleeding and his nails filed down from scratching the concrete of the sea wall. Clinging to life in a canal near Snead Island, a Chihuahua’s bark got him rescued.
Now, a community of dog lovers in Palmetto are trying to reunite the dog, nicknamed “Skunky” with it’s owner.
“They thought maybe he fell off a boat in the area,” Paula Rowell said. Rowell is a Certified Veterinary Technician at Palmetto Animal Clinic. They are taking care of the 15-pound Chihuahua, Rat Terrier mix until he gets a home.
The dog is neutered, but doesn't have a microchip.
Rowell said she would hate to think someone dumped the dog in the bay. But, if he did fall off of a boat, she says no one has come looking for him. And, he’s lucky he was found alive before high tide.
The dog was pulled from the water on Saturday by a passing boat waved down by two snow birds from Canada. They said he ran off and they couldn't catch him. Hours later he was barking, back in the water where they first found him.
“He was definitely fighting to get out. His paw had red abrasions, some of his toe nails we worn down where he might have tried to climb up the sea wall to get up,” Rowell said. “We don't know why he went back in if he was chasing after his boat we don't know.”
Rowell said they’ve been trying to solve the mystery of where the dog came from since Saturday.
“We put up flyers, walked the neighborhood, at this point if they haven't contacted animal services or the human society to try and find their dog then we don't know what's going on,” Rowell said. “Maybe they don't want him back. We don't know. But, in the water is not a good place for him to be.”
Rowell said the dog was very hungry when he got to the vet, but was in otherwise good health.
If you know who this dog belongs too or you are the rightful owner please contact the Palmetto Animal Clinic at 941-722-2456.
----------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH WITH US ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for Breaking News email alerts.
WATCH | Latest ABC Action News Videos | WATCH | ABC Action News Live Stream
