A blind dog whose owners had his eyes removed instead of paying to treat an infection is looking for his forever home after being struck by a car and abandoned.
Louis, a three-year-old Labrador/shepherd mix, was also suffering from a broken leg that didn’t heal properly when his owners surrendered him. In late December, he was taken to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
The dog’s troubles began when he developed an eye infection, according to the rescue’s website. His former owners failed to treat him until it was too late, and both of his eyes had to be removed.
Heartbreaking: Louis, a three-year-old Labrador/shepherd mix, had to have both of his eyes removed after his former owner failed to treat an infection until it was too late
Hard to handle: Shortly after, the blind dog was struck by a car and broke his leg, but he never received proper medical attention and the fracture healed incorrectly
Shortly after, the now-blind Louis was struck by a car and broke his leg. He never received proper medical attention and the leg healed incorrectly.
Louis’ owners, who were ‘unwilling to care for a blind and injured dog’, surrendered him to a Calexico area shelter, where he received urgent surgery to repair his leg.
The shelter staff later took to the dog to Helen Woodward in the hope that the center would find him new owners who will be able to care for his needs.
‘Louis was shy and exhausted when he arrived at our Center,’ the rescue wrote. ‘However, after just a day in foster care, his tail was wagging!
‘His foster mom tells us that Louis loves attention, sunbathing, and other dogs. He has also learned how to navigate his foster home with ease, despite his lack of sight.’
The dog will be looking for his forever home starting on Wednesday, January, 13, after weeks of recovery and living in foster care.
Abandoned: Unwilling to care for a blind and injured dog, his owners surrendered him to a shelter in Calexico, California, where he received urgent surgery to repair his leg
Adjustments: Louis was taken to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California, in late December and was put in foster care while he healed
‘Louis needs a mellow home, one story, someone who is home all the time, with another sweet dog. He told me to let you know!’ the foster mom said of the dog, who is still adjusting to his loss of sight and limp.
Helen Woodward told People that Louis needs a family who is ‘prepared to provide patience and special care’ as he ‘learns his way around a new home.’
‘It is incredibly important that people who consider getting a pet know the obligations they take on with these animals,’ Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions Director Hella Tyler said in a statement to the publication.
‘When people get their pets for free off of Craigslist, they don’t seem to realize that pets come with responsibilities and a monthly expense for their caretaking, including medical care.
‘In turn, these pets will provide their owners with unparalleled love. They pay it back tenfold. It’s just devastating to see an animal treated the way Louis was treated.’
The center is offering a free training session, dog food, and treats to the adopters who will be giving the pooch a second chance.
Louis’ story was shared on Helen Woodward’s Facebook page on Monday, and a number of people are already interested in adopting him.
Looking for love: The dog will be looking for his forever home starting on Wednesday, January, 13, after weeks of recovery and living in foster care
Amazing: ‘He really suffered at the hands of his former owners but he shows no malice towards humankind,’ Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions Director Hella Tyler said of Louis
‘Please give this fella a chance. Lab/shepherd will be a perfect temperament to work with. Louis deserves it,’ one person wrote, while another added: ‘Poor sweet guy!! I hope he gets a fabulous family and forever home!!’
Others blasted Louis’ former owners for ‘neglecting’ the sweet pup.
‘Louis was cruelly neglected,’ one person wrote, while another added: ‘How can people do this. Removing his eyes even if he was blind just makes him be in the total dark! I wish the ex owners be banned from owning any pets.’
Others hit out at the vet who performed the procedure, insisting that they should have found an alternative method of treatment.
‘Curious, what vet would remove a dogs eyes instead of treating an infection?’ one person questioned. ‘This dog deserved better and his previous owners should be banned from owning any other animals.’
‘Please publish the name of the veterinarian who performed the eyeball removal on Louis. This is unforgivable,’ another wrote. ‘Wonder how much they made for that treatment. Wonder if the vet knows these people gave up their patient.’
Amazingly, after everything he has been through, Louis still has a lot of love to give.
‘Louis is extraordinary, Tyler told People. ‘He really suffered at the hands of his former owners but he shows no malice towards humankind. He is ready to love the perfect family and he certainly deserves one.’