Sad end for tragic dog Leo

Mar 5 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Leo

TRAGIC PADS dog Leo, the big black Labrador with serious hip deformities whose plight touched the hearts of local dog lovers, has had to be put to sleep.

Warm-hearted folk in Perth and Dundee raised £1000 towards hip operations for two-year-old Leo, who was cared for at PADS (Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society) for almost 12 months.

Sadly, Leo’s health problems finally proved too much for him. He had become aggressive and it was feared that he had reached this point because, despite his medication, he was in constant pain.

PADS chairman Alison Kennedy told the PA yesterday: “We are all very sad about Leo.

“He had a short and painful life, but now at least he is at peace. We did all we could for him but it was decided that this was the kindest thing.”

Initially PADS had been told by vets that he was too young to have anything done with his hips.

They added that in any case full hip replacements were out of the question for Leo because he did not have the calm temperament to cope with the six month long recovery period which each separate operation requires.

It was hoped, however, that in a couple of years he might have benefited from operations to re-shape the top of the hip bones. In the meantime it was thought that a stable home would give him the chance to mature.

Leo was rehomed three times during the last 12 months, but found it hard to settle with strangers. Not only were his hips a source of concern, but he developed a growth on his tail which became infected.

After weeks of uncomfortable treatment for this condition Leo’s tail was amputated by vets because it would not heal properly.

Alison added: “Poor Leo went through so much and we were all so sorry for him.

“I think it was probably due to all the pain and discomfort he had suffered that he became aggressive.

“Finally, he bit one of our kennel staff on the arm. Leo was at heart a nice dog but all his problems had just become a great burden to him.”

The money raised for Leo has been put aside in PADS’ special Spud Fund, which ring-fences funds for operations for sick or injured dogs.

“We hope that the people who were kind enough to donate to Leo will be happy with this,” continued Alison. “It means that if we have a dog, for example, who has been hit by a car and needs surgery, or one who needs expensive care to recover from illness or neglect, they will benefit.”

The Spud name for the fund comes from a tiny Jack Russell who, years ago, was found by a roadside with his back legs paralysed.

PADS vets saved his life but he never regained the power in his legs. It was decided to make Spud a little wheeled trolley so that he could get around.

Alison added: “We feel that if the money is used to help seriously ill dogs it will serve as a tribute to our brave Leo, a dog we will all always remember with great fondness.”