WATCH: Dog rescued after hit on Hwy 99, CHP stops traffic
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An injured puppy spotted on the side of a busy freeway in Fresno was rescued by a local shelter after CHP stopped traffic on Highway 99 to give access through.
Rudy Pina, an animal control resource officer with the Fresno Animal Center, says it all happened on May 9, around 11 a.m. after their dispatch service received a call about a dog in the center median of northbound Highway 99 near Jensen and Venture avenues.
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Pina says he rushed out to the area but quickly realized he was not able to rescue the puppy safely without help.
“When I arrived, I did see the dog’s head pop up, looking for some way out or some kind of help,” said Pina.
Pina reached out to the California Highway Patrol for help with a traffic break. After the officer stopped the traffic and gave him a thumbs up, he quickly approached the dog who was sitting by the center median. The dog was between the freeway, close to traffic, and unable to move.
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Pina then rushed the dog to a local medical clinic.
According to Pina, the approximately seven-month-old puppy had suffered two broken back legs and internal bleeding. It was there that vets determined they would be unable to save him due to the severity of his injuries.
“We have a great medical team at the Fresno Animal Center and believe me when I say we do everything we can to keep the dog pain-free in our care.”
Pina urges people to call their local animal control agency if they ever see an injured dog on the side of the road or freeway. He says giving a location and if possible, pictures, are a huge help when responding to these calls.
The Fresno Animal Center is operated by the City of Fresno to provide state-mandated animal control services. To donate to the shelter, click here.
