HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A dog is on the road to recovery after she was allegedly attacked by an individual with a machete in Hollywood last Friday morning.
Hunter, a sweet Staffordshire Terrier who is currently recovering from painful injuries, was found with a large, gaping wound and was unable to walk due to the stabbing.
Good Samaritan Cindy Hunt brought the injured dog to the vet.
“It was awful,” she said. “I brought her here to Sunshine Animal Hospital.”
Hunter was discovered early morning in Hollywood along the 6100 block of Madison Street. Hollywood police are now investigating the incident.
“Check your security cameras,” said Hollywood police spokesperson Deanna Bettineschi. “If you have any, check around Friday at 6:30 in the morning. If you saw this dog or any interaction that someone may have had with this dog around that time, give us a call.”
Authorities say Hunter’s injuries were severe, with her flesh split open across her back.
“It looks like it was a machete injury,” said Dr. Ember Moreno, the medical director at Sunshine Animal Hospital “It was a slice, and it was deep, and several muscles were torn.”
Hunter underwent a two-hour surgery on Friday under the care of Moreno, who described the dog “very sweet and gentle dog.”
She will undergo another operation on Friday to repair a torn ACL. Moreno expressed sadness over Hunter’s situation, stating, “It hurts, it is very sad.”
Hunter’s prognosis is good, but the cost of her care is rising. Cindy Mucciaccio from IHeart Rescue and the Brady Hunter Foundation are stepping in to help.
“We have to try to help this dog in any way,” said Mucciaccio.
“Our foundation is focused on two main things: helping animals and helping children,” said Josh Fox, of the Brady Hunter Foundation.
Paige Bresky, also from the Brady Hunter Foundation, emphasized her foundation’s dedication to helping the voiceless and vulnerable.
“This is what our foundation exists for, precisely for this purpose — to help the voiceless and vulnerable. So that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Click here if you would like to help with Hunter’s medical expenses or here to help find her a ‘furever’ home.