KESQ Viewers Help Service Dog Who Fell Victim To Hit And Run
A black lab chow was hit by a car in Twentynine Palms on Saturday, which severed its leg, and now the dog’s life is hanging in the balance.
The owner said putting her pet to sleep is not an option because Baby Girl, 14, is a service dog that warns her owner of oncoming strokes and seizures.
But the family couldn’t afford to keep their pet alive. Robbin Schmidt said her beloved pet had only 24 hours to live.
“It would be like loosing my child,” she explained. “We love her so much — all of us. She’s our baby.”
The tragedy started on Sept. 11th — Robbin’s birthday.
Robbin said Baby Girl escaped from her leash and then the house at about 8 p.m.
She then left the mobile home park and ran across 29 Palms Highway.
“We think she saw a bunny rabbit on the other side of the highway,” said Schmidt.
She never got to the bunny rabbit, because a car ran her over.
A little boy saw it all happen.
“When I heard the neighbor child scream, I hit the ground,” said Schmidt.
Baby Girl’s leg was severed.
A major artery was slashed and she was loosing a lot of blood.
The closest veterinarian was Indio, so that’s where the family took her.
Robbin said that was, “The longest ride of my life.”
Baby Girl’s family said she has saved many lives in her 14 years.
“My son has acute bronchospasm,” said Schmidt. “At 6-months-old she drug a nebulizer up the stairs to me so I could get him his treatment.”
She’s also pressed the panic button on Robbin’s lifeline unit, calling 911 for help.
“I had a stroke in the shower,” said Schmidt. “She pulled me out of the shower, covered me up and went out the front window to get help from somebody we met once.”
The veterinarian told the family that Baby Girl’s leg needs to be amputated by Wednesday evening before gang green and other major infection set in.
But the cost of surgery ranges from $900 to $3,000.
The family can’t afford that.
So without help, a dog dedicated to saving lives will die a tragic death.
Time is running out.
“Her nickname is ‘Mama’ because of the way she takes care of everybody,” said Schmidt.
As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday KESQ viewers came through. Enough money was raised to save the dog’s life. Any extra will be donated to the Companion Animal Clinic
Anyone who wants donate to make a donation to help pay for the surgery, contact the Companion Animal Clinic by calling 760-228-1474.
Tell them you’d like to contribute to the Baby Girl Amputation Fund.
