A distressing report came in about an injured dog lying helplessly in the parking lot of a health clinic on Martin Luther King Drive. But what made the situation even more urgent—and heartbreaking—was that a group of teenagers had been seen abusing the dog, throwing sticks and rocks at her frail body.
When our rescue team arrived, we found her: bleeding, infected, exhausted, and emotionally crushed. The light in her eyes was almost gone. One brave healthcare worker had stepped in just in time to chase the teens away and stayed with the dog until help arrived. We named her Pumpkin Pie.
I’ll never understand animal cruelty—what kind of pain creates that kind of behavior? Sadly, it often begins with how a person is raised. These teens are headed down a dangerous path, and statistics show they may face future encounters with the law. Stray Rescue is now working with the Animal Abuse Task Force to monitor the area and hopes to see action taken.
As for Pumpkin Pie, she is finally safe. She’s now surrounded by the love and comfort she likely never experienced before. She is gentle, sweet, and trusting—traits that, tragically, made her an easy target for abuse.
This isn’t the first case we’ve seen like this in the area. Just weeks ago, we rescued another dog who had been shot by teens nearby. These patterns of violence cannot be ignored.
Now, our focus is on healing Pumpkin Pie’s body, mind, and spirit. We believe that with time, care, and compassion, she’ll wag her tail again and feel what it’s like to truly be loved.
If her story moved you, we ask for your help. Please consider donating to her recovery through our Stracks Fund. Every gift makes a difference for dogs like Pumpkin Pie who’ve been through unthinkable trauma.
