Delivered/Christchurch City Council
This male American bulldog cross, 18 months, was not picked up by owner after surgery to amputate his paw.
A young dog who is still getting a handle on “being a tripod” after a leg amputation urgently needs a new home.
The owner of Rio, an 18-month-old American bulldog that ended up at Christchurch town hall, contacted the town’s animal management team to say he would pick up the dog Monday.
Rio was not picked up and the owner did nothing about it.
Rio was first seized on July 19 following surgery last month. The circumstances surrounding his seizure and why his leg had to be amputated was unclear, the municipality said.
READ MORE:
* Donations help save pup Ricky from a fresh start on three legs
* Son’s Promise to Dead Father Balanced While Dogs Wait on Death Row
* American bulldog that attacked dog and owner to be destroyed despite Supreme Court plea
While it’s not known why he needed surgery in the first place, it was clear there was a need for a loving new owner and forever home, said Tracey Weston, head of regulatory compliance.
“Rio is a large, resilient male who is very friendly. He is very interactive and loving to all the people he has met at the shelter,” Weston said.
“Unfortunately, the dog owner did not show up and we were unable to reach the owner.”
A Facebook post from the municipality about Rio has generated a large number of sympathetic reactions to the three-legged dog.
Delivered/Christchurch City Council
Rio the American Bulldog Cross was not picked up by his owner after undergoing surgery to amputate one of his legs.
“Don’t let a tripod stop you from adopting. I have an adopted American bulldog staffy cross who is a tripod, he is amazing and the sweetest boy ever,” read one comment.
“I adopted a tripod puppy years ago. She was amazing, nothing could stop her. I can’t believe his family didn’t come to take him home,” said another person.
“I hope he finds a much more loving home as soon as possible.”
The post had nearly 400 comments, 99 comments and had been shared 38 times, overwhelmingly in support of Rio.
The council said it was exhausting its usual social media channels to find a new owner, but so far without success.
Rio was one of seven dogs posted on Facebook by the municipality whose owners failed to pick them up.
Anyone with information about the dogs or interested in adoption can contact the council at (03) 941 8999.