The pitbull puppy, dubbed ‘Metro’, whose story has gone viral after being refused any kind of help when found abandoned on the freezing sidewalk, starved to skin and bones outside the Anderson Inner City Animal Hospital a few days ago, is showing quite a bit of improvement.
From the Erie County SPCA as of 12/3 - TEN POUNDS…ALMOST ELEVEN…AND GAINING! Not everyone looks this good in pink argyle…but we think METRO looks BEAUTIFUL!! She’s up to 10.8 pounds, and we know you’ll be as thrilled as we are to see this line taken directly from her medical report: “LAST NIGHT: NORMAL PUPPY BEHAVIOR!!!!!!” At 8:43 this morning, her temperature registered at 99.7 – not bad for a dog whose temperature didn’t even register when she arrived last week.
When Metro was found on November 28, it was questionable if she would survive. She scored only a 1 on a body scale of 1 to 9. Since then she has been supported “medically through heating pads, IV fluids, vitamin supplements, and a diet particularly for starvation cases.”
In just a few days she’s come so far; she’s alert, can actually stand on her own and even took a few steps. Needless to say, she’s eating very well. Her condition is still classed as guarded but she’s being well cared for and monitored every step of the way.
If you want to help with Metro’s care, you can donate to Erie SPCA here.
So wonderful to be able to share a positive update! Sending positive thoughts and prayers to Metro that she will continue to improve into the happy and healthy puppy she’s meant to be!
SPCA animal cruelty investigation officers are currently investigating the circumstances leading up to Metro’s emaciated state. Anyone with information on Metro is encouraged to contact SPCA Director of Animal Cruelty Investigations Jeff Eyre, 716-629-3525. The SPCA does accept and respond to anonymous tips.
Note – I’ve gotten comments the the vet clinic was closed and there was no one there to help, getting bashed for being critical of the animal hospital. Well, I’ve spoken to some vets and clinics since then and what I’ve gotten is that there is usually always either someone on the premises to watch animals that are there or can be there quickly with just a phone call, a much faster response time than a shelter or humane society. Also, at the least, there was a custodian there who answered the door and it would not have been too much for him to show a little humanity and compassion to take the puppy inside or at least wrap the puppy in a blanket or towels. So as far as I am concerned, they deserve all the criticism they get!
All clinics, human and animal, have after hours protocols. If this place has the “call someone else” protocol if the injured and sick show up at the door – no matter who might be inside – they deserve all the scorn that can be dished out.
Exactly. This is the SECOND same such incident at this clinic (I live in Buffalo)since 2009. That puppy laid in the parking lot for 24 hours and staff came and went. Dr. Anderson, in his benevolence ordered his staff not to help him. By the time the SPCA arrived, Kenny (named for the Kensington area of the city) was a cocker spaniel (goole him; you’ll see) was too far gone from dehydration. They tried to save him, but after 3 days, he had to be euthanized. Dr. Anderson’s rebuttal in an online article (google YNN.com for the story on Anderson Inner City Animal Hospital) talking about his hippocratic oath and how he’s so pro-animal is b.s. The custodian was interviewed on-camera and named Clemon (the last name escapes me). The good doctor explains in the YNN.com article that his concern was the puppy’s vaccination history and the “unauthorized to handle animals staff”. Yeah, a starving, freezing puppy near death is clearly a bio-hazard. ::sarcasm::
I agree Deanna. There is a petition going around asking people not to use them. Karma. I signed it willingly.
I’d like the link. I’ll be happy to post it on my FB page.
Hooray for Metro. Poop on the clinic that left her to die. The expression in her eyes is enough to melt anyone. God speed.
I agree, “those eyes”. I’m in LOVE!
This is such a great story!! That clinic that left her to die should be ashamed. They are trained to save animals. God Bless this hospital for taking such great care of her.
I am so appalled of the non action this Vet? place was! I agree with Caroline, and would gladly sign the petition. We have Vet? businesses in our town of Wichita Falls, Texas who will only come in on an emergency call if you have the $500, in hand to give them! There is also a Veterinarian Clinic, “The Dean Dale Pet Clinic”, owned by Dr.. Tonya Tammen, who will meet you at the clinic at any time there is an a emergency, whether or not you are a patient there! Needless to say I travel the 20 plus miles just because of the LOVE there!
Sijai
Looks like Metro is on the mend, thanks for sharing the update! She will no doubt be placed in the perfect home soon
Yea Metro! WTG!!! Be strong sweet puppy. Hang in there.
The hospital should be shut down! At the VERY least hire a far more compassionate janitor. Jeeeezzzz How freakin’ heartless to leave a cold, dying, little creature of God outside like that and slam the door on the poor thing. I can’t imagine what that poor pup was thinking at the moment the door opened and then shut tight. This person will have to make amends with the Man upstairs for this.
I wish you all the best and speedy recovery Metro and look forward to seeing your celebrity lifestyle like our special, precious Patrick. Welcome to the world of love Metro!
I’m so glad to hear that she is doing better and improving. What a tough little girl. Soft gentle hugs to her.
Just checking for any updates on Metro.
I tried to post the update you requested back on December 5th, but the comment was not approved. I think it’s because I had included links for their Facebook page and for the Erie County SPCA’s homepage. I didn’t realize that the post was not approved. If you search The SPCA Serving Erie County, NY on Facebook, you’ll see more current update info on her. As of this writing, she is currently making the transition from her foster home to her ‘furrever’ home with one of the EMTs who found her in that parking lot.
Reading Tropical Transplant’s comment on the so called “animal clinic”, it shocks me to the core that this place has not been shut down nor the employees walked away. Yes, I know what it is to be out of work (5 years), but if you have any kind of heart you have a moral obligation to do what is right and walking out on that SOB so called vet (far from it), would have been the RIGHT thing to do! The problem with this however, is leaving the precious, innocent animals behind in that a-hole’s hands. Damn! How can he live with himself?????
Keep fighting little Metro…..your doing a great job and so are the fabulous people caring for you. God Bless.
Yeah right the vets didn’t see money or anyone to pay so why bother… GREEDY SOB”s… they aren’t vets they’re money hungery… no one there my ass… Shame on the place and hope they don’t live down the bad rap either…. what goes around comes around… you care for animals yeah all you care about is the moeny part and that shows…. I would lay down my life to help that poor doggie…..
That is why I try to ll people that my door is always open to those doggie that need help ….
Oh what a sweet baby face !!!
I hope those CRETINS rot in hell for not helping her !!!
In case anyone was wondering, Metro has gone home with one of the volunteers as a foster, which may end up being her “furr-ever” home. She also made her radio debiut December 13 – 15 of this year as an ambassador for the Humane Society’s radio-thon to raise funds and awareness of cruelty and for the ongoing support of the animals housed there. There was also an adoption campaign to find new homes for some of the animals at the shelter. I believe over $210,000 was raised.
Some time has elapsed since we first heard about Metro. Please, send us more information about her and how her health has changed. How much does she weigh now? Is she being fostered by now?? Have people offered to adopt her?
We have two rescued dogs. Both were badly beaten before they came to us. The oldest, a rat terrier we adopted in May of 2005, is happy after all these years. We think she is turning 17 yrs old. The other one, a three yr old doberman mix, has been with us a little over a year and she is still getting over the horrendous abuse she suffered! I was hoping to make her a sevice dog, but as of now, there is not much hope for her to pull out of the abuse. Both are very well cared for and very very loved! Sijai for the sake of a dog
I am pleased to be able to write that Metro was released to foster care several weeks ago and is quickly becoming the puppy she should have been the first time around. She is (if she hasn’t already) being adopted by one of the EMTs who found her.
Metro made her debut as a radio celebrity at a recent fundraiser. You’ll find this on their Facebook page.
The link to follow her updates on FB seems to be more current than the direct link to the Erie County SPCA page maintained by the shelter. I don’t know if I’m allowed to post a link, so go to Facebook and search: The SPCA Serving Erie County, NY.
You can go directly to their website at yourspca dot org for her story as well as all other shelter stories.