Abandoned dog with mutilated leg recovering thanks to efforts of Las Cruces volunteers

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A dog with a mutilated leg that was abandoned at the Mesilla Valley Animal Services earlier this week is now in better condition after animal rescue volunteers took the dog to a veterinary hospital.

Murphy the dog was left by a black-clad individual in horrific condition Tuesday evening at the door to the shelter.

“Something had been tied around his ankle to the point where it cut off the circulation and killed the tissue and the tissue had sloughed off all the way down into the bone,” said Kirstin Wirtz, a From the Heart Rescue volunteer.

Wirtz said it would have taken weeks for Murphy to be in such bad condition and lose the leg.

From the Heart Animal Rescue rushed Murphy to a veterinarian in El Paso, where he was given painkillers and prepped for surgery. The next morning what little remained of his leg was amputated, but Murphy bounced back.

“As soon as he was out of anaesthesia he was already up and walking. He’s been outside and running across the parking lot which he’s not supposed to be doing,” Wirtz said.

From the Heart volunteers don’t know if the person who left Murphy in Las Cruces is someone who hurt him or someone who was helping.
Either way, leaving him at the shelter it was the right thing to do.

“It saved his life. If he had continued in that condition he would have probably succumbed to an infection that would have taken over his body,” Wirtz said.

Murphy may be doing ok, but they don’t know if any other animals are in danger. They want to know Murphy’s backstory and possibly help other animals, so they’re asking the public for help.

“If you see someone that is harming them or simply neglecting or not taking care of properly call the authorities. If you see something, say something. You could save their life,” Wirtz said.

If you or anyone you know has information about what happened to Murphy please call the Mesilla Valley Animal Services at (575) 382-0018.