Phoenix (aka Luke) was a bait dog without ears sitting on death row ... and got rescued!

By Tiffany Norton
Photos courtesy of Coastal German Shepherd Rescue

Here is Phoenix' story........ Phoenix laid on the cold concrete at a county animal shelter in Los Angeles waiting to be euthanized. His time had come and gone at the shelter and his life would soon end before it even started. Miraculously, in the eleventh hour, a kind volunteer decided to take Phoenix' picture and circulate it to the rescue community in hopes that he would be rescued.

Within moments of seeing his picture, I knew he was a dog we had to save. Brutally abused and used as a bait dog, he had never known a happy day in his life. Coastal German Shepherd Rescue picked him up from the shelter on September 15, 2010 and vowed to show him the good life.

Straight to the vet he went to have his ears examined. It seems his ears were savagely removed by an inexperienced hand and he bears the scars to show how terrible this was. Not only had his ears been cut off, but it appears that Phoenix' jaw was wired shut to prevent him from fighting back while the fighting dogs trained and used Phoenix as bait. Phoenix is getting treatment for his skin infection, ear canal infection, and the wounds on his face and neck. He will not have any long-lasting physical issues, however, the emotional and psychological issues are long-lasting.

After the torture that Phoenix has been through and the repeated attacks by other animals, he is naturally apprehensive. It is confusing to him and he seems to constantly be in a state of wonder as to whether another dog will attack him. With people he is a love, he soaks up every bit of affection that you are able to give him. He nuzzles and asks for more! Phoenix is on the road to recovery and will be in a forever home soon! His story has brought out an outpouring of compassion and support. We are currently talking with families who would like to give Phoenix his happy ever after.

For more information or to make a donation:
Coastal German Shepherd Rescue
P.O. Box 50726
Irvine, CA 92619
(714) 528-4730
www.coastalgsr.org " Dedicated to giving German Shepherds a Second Chance"