Law Enforcement

March 2010 Update:“Turtle” Thriving in Foster Home

Three months after being rescued by the Animal Rescue League of Boston and medically treated by the staff at Tufts Veterinary Hospital at Walpole, the female pit bull type dog named “Turtle” is now thriving in a foster home.

“After three months of recovery she looks like a completely different dog - she just looks amazing,” says Debby Vogel, manager of Volunteer and Educational Programs, and one of Turtle’s rescuers.

“She’s making great progress in her foster home. She’s getting along well with her hound dog sister and the cats that she lives with and she also gets along very well with some of the dogs that she sees at work every day. She has a couple of dachshund friends and a cockapoo friend and she’s doing really, really well.”

Coincidentally, says Vogel, her cockapoo friend is one of the dogs from last year’s Randolph law enforcement case, “which is kind of cool.” Photo courtesy of Amelia Hughes.

Your tax-deductible gift to the Animal Rescue League of Boston will help to support our Rescue Services program, ensure that many homeless animals receive the medical care they need, as well as a chance to be adopted into a caring home. Click here to donate now. 

Jan. 16 Spynergy Fundraiser a Big Success

Many thanks to everyone who attended Saturday's fundraiser/spinning class at Spynergy Cycling Studio in Wellesley, and for buying special Turtle t-shirts. Thank you to Merry Perry Design of Quincy, who donated the t-shirt design, Spynergy Cycling Studio, who donated their studio space and instructor time, Winslow, Evans & Crocker of Boston, who donated t-shirts and Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty of Hopkinton, who coordinated the event and donated t-shirts.

Pictured above: John Szolomayer, Mary Ellen Wasielewski, Leslie Mann, Erika Paul and Mike Lefebvre of Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty in Hopkinton and Bill Pryor of Spynergy
Cycling Studio in Wellesley.

Jan. 11 Update: turtle still Recovering from Wounds

Below is a moving video tribute to Turtle created by videographer Mike Lefebre of Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty in Hopkinton in conjunction with a special fundraiser to be held Jan. 16 at Wellesley's Spynergy Spinning Studio. Please click here for more information.

Additionally, representatives from Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty have created a special Turtle t-shirt for $15 with all proceeds will be donated toward her care. Many thanks to Merry Perry Design of Quincy for designing the shirts. Sorry, the t-shirts have sold out. To make a donation to help Turtle and other dogs like her, please click here.

Turtle t-shirt front graphic:                                      T-shirt back graphic:

Dec. 31 Update:

Video taken at Tufts Walpole Veterinary Hospital charting Turtle's progress toward recovery, and some of the many toys, cards and treats that have been sent to us by her well wishers.  

Dec. 18 Update:

Video of Turtle filmed on Dec. 18, 2009 at Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Walpole:

If you experience difficulty seeing this video, please click here to see it on You Tube.

On December 16, Turtle successfully underwent surgery to close the numerous open bite wounds coveringthe majority of her body. She is responding well to antibiotics, and continues to be closely monitored. Veterinarians at Tufts Walpole are also treating compression fractures (left) on her right hind leg, which resulted from multiple bite wounds. Her x-rays also showed evidence of previous fractures.

We would like to thank the staff at Tufts Walpole for providing around-the-clock critical care. Turtle's need for assistance will continue into 2010, and she faces a long road to recovery. Turtle's rehabilitation will likely include extensive orthopedic treatment.

To date, her medical bills total over $10,000 and your donation toward her care would be greatly appreciated.

Wellesley's "Spynergy" spinning studio to hold special fundraiser on Jan. 16 to benefit Turtle. Please click here for more information.

Dec. 14 Update:

On December 14 at approximately 10:30 p.m., the ARL of Boston received a call from Boston Animal Control about a dog lying in a wooded area on Smithfield Road in Hyde Park. The ARL of Boston’s Director of the Center for Animal Protection Lt. Alan Borgal, Senior Rescue Technician Mark Vogel and Volunteer and Educational Programs Manager Debby Vogel arrived at the scene and found an emaciated female pit bull – who they dubbed “Turtle” due to her proximity to nearby Turtle Pond Parkway - lying curled up and motionless in the cold. She was covered in scars and open wounds, was weak and fully infested with fleas.

They immediately transported her to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Walpole where veterinarians worked throughout the night to stabilize her. She was given intravenous fluids and antibiotics to alleviate her fever and to address the infection caused by bite and puncture wounds covering the majority of her body.

With 35 years of experience in humane law enforcement, Lt. Borgal knew immediately that Turtle’s wounds were consistent with her being used as a “bait dog” to train dogs for fighting. Bait dogs are commonly discarded after a life of cruel and inhumane treatment, and Turtle was approaching a similarly grim fate. Considering the severity of her condition, she is recovering well.

Photo courtesy of Amelia Hughes

In spite of it all, she is friendly and gentle, and even wagged her tail while the staff at Tufts Walpole performed lab work. When animals are victims of violence, the Animal Rescue League responds to get these animals the help they need.  But the cost of this care is expensive, and comes at the end of what has already been a budget-busting year so we are asking for the public’s help.  Please give a gift today so that we can help Turtle and the other animals who have no one else to care.

Because of the nature of her injuries, Turtle will need to be quarantined for several months so she is unavailable for adoption at this time. We will keep you updated on her progress on our website.

Above: ARL of Boston Senior Rescue Technician Mark Vogel gently prepares Turtle for transport to Tufts Walpole. Left: Turtle is recovering from her wounds.

To see recent news coverage of Turtle's story, please click on the links below.

Boston Globe: Dec. 16, 2009: Pit Bull Left for Dead Recovering

Boston Herald: Dec. 16, 2009: Dogfight 'Bait' Clings to Life

Fox 25 News: Dec. 16, 2009: Pitbull Injured in Possible Dog Fighting Ring

WHDH-TV: Dec. 16, 2009: Injured Dog Abandoned in Hyde Park

Walpole Times: Dec. 16, 2009: Pit Bull Saved After Being Dumped by Dog Fighters