A pregnant mother dog was heartlessly abandoned at the Boone Area Humane Society after enduring 24 hours of labor.
Upon her arrival, she was in critical condition and required an emergency C-section. During the procedure, she coded twice but was miraculously stabilized. She then underwent a blood transfusion and received intensive care at Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she was closely monitored in the ICU.
“The vets at ISU also informed us that this sweet girl is a senior dog and has had multiple litters in the past,” the Boone Area Humane Society shared on Facebook.
“She should be enjoying her golden years, but instead, she was bred repeatedly and then discarded when she experienced complications during labor.”
Despite the veterinarians’ best efforts, the mother dog, now named Ruthie, tragically lost all 21 of her puppies. Due to the extreme number of puppies, they were underdeveloped and unable to receive the necessary nutrients in utero, making survival impossible.
Although Ruthie endured an unimaginable ordeal, she is steadily improving. She has begun eating on her own and is strong enough to stand up and go outside. Known for her gentle and loving nature, she has since been released from the hospital and is now in the care of a foster home, where she continues to recover.
Meanwhile, the Humane Society is working to hold those responsible for Ruthie’s suffering accountable. However, they acknowledge that with Iowa’s weak animal protection laws, pursuing justice is always an uphill battle.
