Puppy Expected To Recover After Being Kicked, Slammed

A puppy that was thrown against a metal pole so hard a veterinarian had to amputate its leg is now in the hands of a new owner and on his way to recovery.

The 8-month-old terrier had its leg removed a few days ago but is already walking around and comes when his name is called, all thanks to a man who is giving the pup a second chance at life.

“He’s a good guy. I mean, he’s got a lot of spunk,” Richard Hahn said, as Thor rolled over and he rubbed his stomach.

Police said Cody Michael Carmack, 20, threw the puppy and then slammed it after he got into an argument with his roommate. Carmack was arrested on suspicion of extreme animal cruelty. He was booked in to the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

Hahn says by Thor’s wagging tale and playful personality, no one would ever know he was abused.

“He’s in the process of recovery and then he’ll be fine,” Hahn said.

With a plastic cone around his cute little face, Thor is just learning how to walk on three legs.

“The leg was so badly mutilated it had to be amputated,” Hahn said.

Police said the Carmack was fighting with a female roommate and took out his frustration on her puppy at their apartment on Foster Street.

“The roommate kicked the dog and then picked it up and threw it against a metal bed railing, and that’s what caused the injuries to the dog,” said Dan Trujillo, spokesman for the Las Cruces Police Department. “Apparently the injuries are so bad the dog yelped for about a minute right after. The dog was completely unable to use it’s one rear leg, and that’s because both bones in that rear leg were broken.”

Hahn said he just happened to be outside when he saw Thor’s back leg dangling and asked the woman if he could have him, and get him the care he needed.

“He should have been a little four-legged puppy like all the other little puppies, but he had to have this thing happen to him,” Hahn said. “There’s no excuse for it.”

“The dog was completely innocent. You know, this is a dog. … Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend,” Trujillo said. “In this case, it wasn’t.”

Hahn he is happy he could do the right thing.

“We’re going to take him to the dog park and he’ll be fine. He’s already got a playmate,” Hahn said. “But he’s safe now; and that’s really all that matters.”

According to police, the original owner did nothing for a week after Thor was injured, but at this time, she is not facing any charges.

On a brighter note, Hahn said Thor will have his stitches removed later this week and will be able to play with his new best friend, Hahn’s other terrier named Nixon.