(Photo courtesy of ABC Action News) Angel, an 18 month old pit bull, staggered up to a house begging for help. She was thought to have been dumped from a car or truck, left to fend for herself. Nothing but skin and bones, she was cold to the touch with white gums, but still wagging her tail as if to express her will to live. After a vet’s evaluation and treatment she is expected to fully recover, but her surgery and treatment will cost at least $1,000.

Update 11/18/08:  A malnourished pitbull, rescued after being thrown from a vehicle, is now on her way to recovery thanks to the kindness of others.

Rescuers with Pit Positive, an animal rescue group, have taken in the dog who they named Angel because of her amazing recovery.

The dog managed to crawl to a nearby house and appeared to be waiting for help. Arthur Fyvolent, with Pit Positive has been taking care of her since she was found.

"We often feel like garbage men sometimes people treat these dogs so badly," said Fyvolent.

  (Photo courtesy of ABC Action News)   Angel has come along way. When she was found, she weighed only 18 pounds, half the size of a healthy pitbull, needed surgery including a blood transfusion. One of Fyvolent's other dogs donated the blood.

"All it takes is a little bit of food a little bit of care it is amazing with their will to live they will come back."

But, Fyvolent says, she needs more surgery, and that will cost money.

Angel's abuser has not been caught. Animal cruelty is a third degree felony.

Update 11/22/08:  Angel the pit bull received quit a bit of attention recently after her story exposed many people to her plight. She was tossed from a moving car and managed to move her malnourished body to a home while she waited to be rescued. She is making a tremendous recovery so she was able to lead Saturday's Pit Bulls Pounding the Pavement Parade at the corner of Bayshore and Bay To Bay Boulevard.

She joined at least 40 other so called bully breeds and their owners for a 4 mile walk to promote a positive image for a breed that takes its share of verbal abuse. Angel was able to walk for a while until her caretakers took over to give her a breather.

Inquiries came from Georgia and North Carolina asking about how to help Angel. Most animal care organizations say there are many more abused animals similar to Angel we just don't hear about it and often the animals don't survive. Angel's pictures are shocking but her will to live is nothing short of remarkable.

Angel's is getting special help with Sunday's fund raiser to help with her medical bills from 9am-1pm at the Village Grooming 14442 N Dale Mabry, Tampa. Dog baths are offered for a $10 donation that includes nail trim, ear cleaning and the works!

Update 12/31/08:  Angel the pit bull puppy tossed from a moving car and left for dead is doing very well. Her caretakers report great progress since they took over caring for Angel 7 weeks ago.

  (Photo courtesy of ABC Action News)  She now weighs 41 pounds! Angel's leg was damaged possibly when she was thrown from the car but her vet says now it has healed in a way that makes it difficult to repair without great risk.

Even with the injury she does not show any discomfort or pain. Once they get a handle on the mange she will be able to have her spay surgery. Then with a clean bill of health she can be put up for adoption.

Angel's caretaker Lisa Presnail says she is smaller than her other pit bulls who weigh in about 70 pounds each but she gets along with them and is happy and shows no lasting impact from her neglect that sometimes dogs who are abused go through.

Angel's story has influenced others to help. The animal control that took over in Sebring has started working with rescues. They know of one dog that would have been put down but because of Angel's success was given a chance by safely being transferred to a rescue.

Reference:

ABC Action News

Pitbull Chat