In a small town in Sussex County, New Jersey, a heart-wrenching incident involving a pit bull named Chester left his family in shock and saddled with a staggering veterinary bill.
The fateful night began when a porcupine, a notoriously defensive creature, wandered into Chester’s backyard. The nine-year-old dog, fiercely loyal and protective, engaged in a brutal confrontation with the prickly intruder.
The attack, which occurred around 2 a.m. on September 2, 2022, resulted in Chester sustaining severe injuries from the porcupine’s quills. His owner, 22-year-old Miranda DeGennaro, recalled the frantic moments when she and her family noticed Chester’s distress: “We saw him running and barking, so we ran down the deck, but it was too late.” Desperate to save their beloved pet, the family rushed Chester to a local animal hospital.
Upon arrival, the veterinary staff expressed concern about the severity of Chester’s condition. DeGennaro recounted that the hospital staff had “never seen quills that bad in their entire life.” The dog’s body was riddled with quills, many of which were not visible.
DeGennaro explained, “The quills don’t really show up in CAT scans and x-rays. The damage is what shows up. You can’t even do anything to see exactly where they are, so they did the best they could. But being that he swallowed some, they just went everywhere.”
In a race against time, the veterinarians discovered quills lodged in Chester’s heart, lungs, esophagus, and digestive system. To save his life, DeGennaro was asked to make a $12,000 down payment for the surgery. Despite her inability to cover the steep cost, the animal hospital proceeded with the operation in a last-ditch effort to rescue the injured pit bull.
Tragically, Chester did not survive the ordeal. He succumbed to his injuries while under anesthesia for surgery, leaving his devastated family to cope with not only their grief but also an overwhelming veterinary bill nearing $20,000.
Reflecting on the tragic events, DeGennaro shared her sorrow and disbelief: “He really did need the surgery, and obviously, we all thought he was going to live. It was really important for him to get the surgery. I really thought he was going to make it.”
This harrowing tale of a brave dog’s encounter with a porcupine serves as a stark reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can lurk in our own backyards and the immense impact they can have on the lives of our beloved pets and their families.
Source: AWM
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