ASPCA Treats Service Dog Injured in Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 4:15pm
Injured Yellow Lab

Hurricane Sandy left many victims in her wake. However, we are relieved to report that Ivy, a one-year-old service dog, who was badly injured in the aftermath the storm, is expected to survive.

On Wednesday night, Ivy’s guardians were unable to go outside to walk her. Without power in their Manhattan apartment building, their elevator was also out of service. They asked their neighbor to take Ivy outside for some exercise.

Unfortunately, Ivy wandered off her leash onto a busy New York street, where she was presumably hit by multiple cars. A local resident found her early Thursday morning, and while she had suffered very severe injuries, she was still alive. Ivy was transported to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in Manhattan to undergo treatment. This brave dog is expected to make a full recovery.

We’re so glad we are able to provide Ivy with the crucial care she needed, and just in time. Please help support our ongoing relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Update 11/8/12: Ivy is continuing to recover from her injuries until she can return home to her dedicated pet parents. One of Ivy’s pet parents is hearing-impaired, and the other is incapacitated due to a knee injury and was unable to walk her during Hurricane Sandy. While Ivy was walking with a neighbor, she escaped from her collar and was hit by a car before being rescued by a good Samaritan and brought to the ASPCA. We are all looking forward to Ivy’s speedy recovery.

Tags: 
Disaster Response
Natural Disasters
NYC
Take Action
We Were There

Comments

Tue, 11/06/2012 - 21:23 — Courtney (Visitor)
Is Ivy up for adoption now? She should be a retired service dog after an accident like that.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:40 — Crystal (Visitor)
I agree 100%. She should be retired.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 18:36 — jacqueline (Visitor)
Yes she should be retired!Poor baby ! She has done her job!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:53 — geena (Visitor)
i agree this sounds like a careless accident she should be retired after an accident like this and given to a nice family.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:59 — Teresa (Visitor)
What the heck? Not one car that hit her stopped to help? What a sad state human kind is in. Glad this girl is going to make it. I can't imagine hitting her and not stop.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:59 — Debra Winer (Visitor)
I live across the street from the hospital, can I come over and give Ivy some love and attention!!! please :) I would love to see if I might be able to adopt or foster

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:08 — Shanna (Visitor)
She should go back to her owners, it wasn't the owners fault that she got hurt. Just because the ASPCA thankfully helped with their dogs injuries doesn't mean that they should adopt her out.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:19 — gibby (Visitor)
Explain to me HOW a dog wanders off her leash. I think the nieghbor are morons-didn't these morons see her get hit and left her on the street to die-animal abuse in my book! Is anyone going to press charges against them? HELLO ASPCA!!!!!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 13:00 — Cindy (Visitor)
I totally agree! How does a dog wonder off her leash!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:45 — Serena (Visitor)
Isn't that oxymoronic... to wander... on a leash? Isn't that the purpose of the leash, to prevent wandering? Either there was no leash or there was no wandering. So, I'm going to assume there was no wandering... and who ever heard of a service dog walking out into traffic? Seriously? This whole story seems really fishy to me. I am beside myself with happiness that this pup is ok, but I find any of this story easy to digest. I would take this love in a second and give her everything she deserves.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:46 — Serena (Visitor)
I mean, I assume there was no leash.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 18:38 — jacqueline (Visitor)
I agree that is abuse no way could they NOT know she got off her leash.I think the nieghbors should be held accountable.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:27 — Melissa (Visitor)
I am so happy to hear that Ivy is going to fully recover! Should Ivy be placed up for adoption I am very interested in providing her with an amazing home!!!!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:31 — Judi Cornfield (Visitor)
Why no one stopped this poor dog or helped her after she got hit. Makes me so angry!! She's a beautiful dog and I hope Ivy is ok and gets a good home. God Bless you.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:33 — IrishNV (Visitor)
I would hope that Ivy will not be returned to "guardians" who so carelessly let her be taken outside by someone who obviously didn't care for her welfare. Did they even wonder why she was not brought back to them? And how does a dog wander off a leash??

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:39 — Reina (Visitor)
What happened to the folks that let her off leash? Did they not have the decency to run for her and take care of her, considering they were taking her as a favor to her guardians?! Didn't her guardians care that she never came home that night?! They should all bear some consequences in this situation.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:41 — Joey (Visitor)
She should not be allowed to go back to her owners. Why exactly couldn't they take her outside themselves? There are defintely some puzzling aspects to this story and turn of events. If I found out my dog "wandered" off her leash - I would be outside looking until she was found. There is something very fishy about this and this beautiful dog deserves a better home.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 13:32 — nicole nelson (Visitor)
god bless her!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 13:34 — Jannie (Visitor)
There are so many silly comments on here... The article makes it quite clear that her owners could not take her out themselves because the elevator was out of service. Since Ivy is a SERVICE DOG that would make one assume that her owners might have a physical disability which makes them depend on the elevator to get down, and as it was out of service they asked the neighbors for help. I don't know how the neighbors lost the dog, but I doubt she ran off, got hit by a car and that the people walking her just left her there. I would guess she somehow got off the leash, and ran away. The neighbors probably tried to find her, but lost track of her, and when she was finally found by someone she had been hit by a car. PLease people, stop being so judgmental. Accidents happen, and I doubt the owner or the neighbors are to blame. The people who ran her over in their cars and didn't stop - yes, but stop talking about pressing charges against the people walking her etc etc. Don't be so naive, think a little. I'm glad the dog will be okay.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:48 — Michelle (Visitor)
Your post is full of assumptions that may or may not be true. The whole thing sounds fishy to me. I"m glad she is alive and surviving but I wouldn't return her to them. How did the neighbors get out without the elevator. I would have been frantic if she wasn't back in 20 minutes.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:07 — Amberbean (Visitor)
I would imagine the neighbors used the stairs. If Ivy is a service dog, her owners probably can not use the stairs.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 18:43 — jacqueline (Visitor)
Ivy is a service dog and undoubtedly very well behaved and not uncontrollable.That leads to the idea that there must of been abuse and someone should be held accountable!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 13:44 — Kyra (Visitor)
I am horrified at the number of people here who are calling for Ivy to be taken away from her family. Ivy is a SERVICE DOG. Isn't it possible that her owners are disabled and the fact that the power and the elevators were out of service meant that they were physically unable to get Ivy outside? The way I read this article, that is exactly what happened and they asked someone who they trusted to take her out for them. What happened from there nobody can tell for sure, as there are a lot of details missing from this article. The word "wandered" (off her leash) is certainly misleading. Maybe she broke her leash, maybe she slipped out of her collar, who knows? And how does everyone know that nobody looked for the dog? It doesn't say that anywhere, just that she was found the next morning. Lots of details missing and lots of people jumping to conclusions. Next time your pet gets hurt, let's take them away from you because you obviously don't care. Does that make sense? No, because I don't know you and I don't know the circumstances. Have some compassion.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:12 — Lucy Muller (Visitor)
If the owners could normally take her out from their "Manhattan Apartment" then they could have done it after the storm. Why didn't they take her with them? ANyone can take an animal to a shelter now; it is the law.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:10 — Amberbean (Visitor)
They couldn't take her out after the storm because they didn't have power...they couldn't use the elevator because elevators need power. They are disabled, they can't use stairs. I'm sure they didn't want Ivy defecating and peeing in their apt so they asked a neighbor to help them.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:20 — Mindy Cantrell (Visitor)
Well said. There are a lot of details missing from this article. For those of you jumping to conclusions...it's just not right!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 09:21 — Courtney (Visitor)
Yes, she is a service dog and has devoted her life to helping these people. But with an accident like this, she should be a RETIRED service dog. No dog should have to go through an accident where she has been hit by MULTIPLE cars. She should live her life in peace without "work".

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 12:23 — Mrs. T (Visitor)
I just really don't see how a service dog 1). got off a leash and 2). wandered into traffic. I mean, esp if her owners are disabled and she'd never run away from them.... She should definitely be returned to her owners, and those owners should press charges to the neighbor.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 14:10 — mmp (Visitor)
Poor pooch! What truly bothers me about this is how many selfish, cold and inhumane people did not stop for this dog! What the heck is wrong with people? A lot of sorry excuses for human beings out there. No compassion for other living things or their suffering. You'd think Hurricane sandy would have made New Yorkers a little more compassionate and less selfish, guess not...

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 14:17 — Susan Cherry (Visitor)
What is wrong with all of those people? I don't understand deserting a pet. My dogs are my hearts, my soul, they are our children. When we evacuate in Florida, we take them with us no matter what. I definately support allowing Ivy to be adopted, but only by someone who can prove that they will be totally responsible and accountable for Ivy. She deserves a good family.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:10 — Lucy Muller (Visitor)
Yes, the owners should not be allowed to get her back.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 14:26 — Debbie M (Visitor)
didn't his owners find it weird the neighbour did not bring the dog back??????

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 14:37 — shannon petch (Visitor)
excuse me, but how exactly does a dog "wander off a leash"??? bullsh#t!!! the "helpful" neighbor should be charged w/ neglect and i hope ivy gets to just be a dog after this!!

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:08 — LUcy Muller (Visitor)
Read what I wrote too. What a bunch of crap.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:00 — Debbie (Visitor)
this breaks my heart. How anyone can hit this sweet dog, or any animal just breaks my heart. I'm so happy Ivy will be ok. God bless Ivy and watch over her.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:06 — LOUISE YOUNG (Visitor)
my god could not this person walking the dog be more responsible..how hard is it to walk a dog...shame shame shame...good news that ivy will make it

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 15:07 — Lucy Muller (Visitor)
See what happens when you ask assholes to care for your pet. How could she get off a leash if she was a service dog. Was the idiot drunk or on drugs? That neighbor wouldn't want to come near me after that.why couldn't the owners climb the stairs and take care of their own dog?

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:57 — Mary Wall (Visitor)
Why are the owners not taking her back? Seems odd. Seems like an owner responsibility problem from what appears here. I hope Ivy finds deserving and responsible owners that she can guide....

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 23:39 — Natasha (Visitor)
I agree

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 17:06 — J (Dog Lover) (Visitor)
I agree, most of you are too fast at jumping to conclusions!! Dogs can easily slip out of their collars if something catches their eye, like a cat, squirrel, etc. And yet you are blaming the handicapped owners here!!!!!!! Your day is coming when you get old, and hopefully NOT handicapped!!!!! How many of you complaining about this were without power at that time???????

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 23:42 — Natasha (Visitor)
I don't know of service dogs slipping out of their collars after a squirrel!!! I just dont see it happening. There is definitely more to this story

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 23:42 — Natasha (Visitor)
I don't know of service dogs slipping out of their collars after a squirrel!!! I just dont see it happening. There is definitely more to this story

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 18:57 — Sandy (Visitor)
How was she able to wander? Wasn't she on a leash? For God's sake... How old is she and is she up for adoption?

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 19:41 — Joelle (Visitor)
Why is everyone being so weird about this. The owner couldn't take the dog out.. trusted a neighbor who obviously did the wrong thing, and now u all want her to retire and be up for adoption... GIVE ME A BREAK PEOPLE.. UR ALL WACKO'S!!! DUHHHHHH IT WAS AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY CARLESSNESS OF A NEIGHBOR.. NOT THE OWNER !!! GET A LIFE

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 22:56 — Robin Clarke (Visitor)
I will take her TODAY.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 22:56 — Robin Clarke (Visitor)
I will take her TODAY.

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 23:33 — Barbara (Visitor)
What is with you all, the owners didnt evacuate, they were there in the apartment. They are disabled enough to need the service dog. They asked for help and for whatever reason those people screwed up. Service dogs are very well trained, so i dont understand how the dog would have wondered. The main people to blame is the one or ones that hit the dog with the car. Im sure that the owners were worried when the found out the dog was gone but couldn't do anything to try and find her but call the local vets and shelters. I believe the dog should be returned to her owners and the neighbors should not be trusted to help with the dog again.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 12:14 — Vicki Rutkowski (Visitor)
I agree that this story sounded weak as written, but I have every faith that the SPCA will thoroughly investigate befor ereturning the dog to that family. The poor baby- glad she is ok.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 12:43 — Marilyn (Visitor)
There is something very fishy about this story. First of all - Service Dogs are with puppy raises for their entire 1st year - this story says Ivy is 1. Then, the disabled person trains with the dog and a trainer for several months. Service dogs are just like every other dog - they will wander if not leashed - which I assume was the case. I am a disabled lab owner - my Ivy is my 2nd yellow lab. Never have I put my dogs in a position that would compromise their safety. Whoever owns this baby was irresponsible - and should be investigated!