Paralyzed Puppy Mill Survivor Gets Wheels (VIDEO)

This newly released video from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) shows a moving and cautionary tale of the sweet dachshund, Ricky Bobby. In the video you’ll see the HSUS rescue team arriving at a mass dog-breeding facility in N.C., and take a glimpse at what they found inside. You’ll also hear a story of survival about one of the rescued dogs, Ricky Bobby, and see him test out his new wheels!

According to Wayne Pacelle’s blog, A Humane Nation, “The owner [of the operation] agreed to surrender 58 of the dogs on the property, and eight of the worst cases were transferred for immediate care at an animal hospital nearby. Jennifer removed Ricky Bobby, a small, paralyzed dachshund, from the facility … He had been dragging his non-working legs along a cement floor for so long that he had open sores, inflamed patches, callouses and muscle atrophy throughout his underside and back legs … The condition that paralyzed Ricky Bobby was most likely genetic, but if treated by a veterinarian early, is often reversible.”

This situation is also, sadly, not unique. Puppy mills are a huge problem in the United States, and the ASPCA estimates that there could be as many as 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S. where dogs are raised for a profit with little care for their basic needs. So remember to adopt, not buy to ensure that your future pet was not bred in inhumane conditions like Ricky Bobby and others. Celebrate your rescued friend and stand up against puppy mills!

Image Source: Meredith Lee for the HSUS