Owner Dumps Injured Pit Bull 7 Days After Car Accident, Rescuers Race Against Time To Save His Life
A Pit Bull named Esteban suffered severe injuries after being hit by a car. For seven days, his owner did not seek medical treatment, leaving the dog in significant pain. After this period, the owner abandoned Esteban at the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), where shelter staff assessed his condition and determined that he had only hours to live before likely euthanasia.
While the owner may have faced financial challenges in obtaining treatment for Esteban, the delay in seeking help prolonged the dog’s suffering. Immediate contact with a shelter or rescue organization after the accident could have spared Esteban from enduring such prolonged pain.
Saved in the Nick of Time
AMA Animal Rescue became Esteban’s saving grace as they stepped in and took the dog under their wing. They not only saved him from getting euthanized but provided him with the necessary treatment immediately.
Source: Instagram
Since then, Esteban spent weeks in the emergency hospital getting treated for his severe injuries. Following that, he underwent vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) treatment to allow his wounds to heal faster along with daily bandage changes for weeks.
AMA Animal Rescue Is In Need of Financial Support
Helping Esteban get a second shot at life was very expensive for the New York-based rescue organization. They try to help every animal that is in need of urgent help, but it has caused a huge dent in their budget.
The rescue recently posted about a large credit card debt they need to clear. Due to this, they have closed the intake of any new animals. This is not easy for them, but they are left with no choice.
So, if you are able to, please donate to their GoFundMe page and help them reach their goal so they can help many more dogs like Esteban.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Hit By a Car
If your dog gets hit by a car, it is a serious emergency. So, understanding the steps to take if your pup is can lead to better treatment outcomes and help keep you level-headed during the crisis.
According to AnimERge, an emergency veterinary hospital, the first step is to stay calm, instead of panicking over the fact that “my dog got hit by a car.” A clear head will help you make better decisions to save your furry friend. The hospital explains, “Dogs are very in tune with human emotions and pick up cues from their owners on how to feel or react. If you stay calm it will help to prevent your pooch from panicking.”
The next step is to contact your primary veterinarian and if they are not available, contact any nearest veterinary hospital. Dr. Mindy A. Cohan, a veterinarian, says, “You can provide helpful information over the phone such as whether your dog appears to have a specific injury, any sites of bleeding, difficulty breathing, and whether you suspect head trauma has occurred.” Doing this will make the hospital ready to treat your dog as soon as you get there.
My Dog Got Hit By a Car but Seems Ok
Dr. Cohan advises pet parents to take their dog immediately to the vet even if they do not see any physical injury. “Even if there are no serious external injuries, there can be a variety of internal injuries following trauma that may be difficult to detect just by looking at your dog.”
What Is The Survival Rate of A Dog Hit By A Car?
National Library of Medicine conducted a study in which it was found that around 12.5% of dogs do not survive after getting hit by a car. So, the survival rate for dogs after getting struck by a car is pretty high.
That being said, 70% of such dogs require veterinary care. Not to mention it can be quite expensive for the pet owner to pay for the required treatment and recovery.
What To Do If Your Dog is Hit By a Car But You Can’t Afford Vet Costs?
When a dog is struck by a car, it is not uncommon to get high vet bills. However, not everyone can afford to pay a large sum of money.
For such a situation, a Reddit user, @loupdrag, recommends “look into CareCredit but also talk to your vet office about your financial difficulties. Many vet offices offer payment plans for their clients.” CareCredit is a credit card that allows people to make payments related to health and wellness by offering special financing plans.
This is also a perfect example of why pet insurance is so important as it would likely cover most, if not all, of the costs.
My Dog Was Hit By A Car – Who Is Responsible?
You may be distraught after a car hits your dog and want to press charges on the driver. The law in these cases is not straightforward as different states have different regulations.
According to Cloward Trial Lawyers, you may be able to hold the driver liable for reasons like negligence on the part of the driver, intentionally harming your dog, and vicarious liability.
Vicarious liability in Nevada holds employers accountable for their employees’ actions if performed “within the scope of employment.” In dog-related accidents, this applies if the employee was acting under job duties and acted negligently, causing injury. Employers can be liable even if the employee’s driving was not reckless.
In some states, you can also be held accountable if your dog wasn’t leashed or in your control, when the accident happened. Cloward Trial Lawyers assert, “This is because you are ultimately responsible for your dog’s actions.
“However, even if you are not following this law, the driver of a vehicle that hits your dog may still be liable for the accident. Contacting a personal injury lawyer to examine your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation is best.”
