Pets
Dog Ambushed By Coyotes Discovered By Santa Cruz Middle Schoolers
The pup, who was badly injured, is in the ICU at a local animal emergency hospital.

SANTA CRUZ CA — A dog ambushed by coyotes in Santa Cruz was recently found by some middle school students. The small dog, named Gustavo, suffered some serious injuries but was alive. Gustavo’s owner, identified as "Laura" by a GoFundMe page started by a friend, was walking her three dogs in Santa Cruz when they were surrounded and attacked by coyotes on Sunday. During the attack, Gustavo ran into the nearby woods and Laura searched for him for the next 48 hours.
Although she thought he was gone for good, he eventually turned up near a private school suffering from broken ribs, a damaged cornea, internal bruising and deep puncture wounds on his head and neck. Gustavo is now recovering in the intensive care unit at the Pacific Vet Emergency Hospital. This is not the first time Laura has visited this vet with a pet emergency. Less than two months ago, one of her other dogs suffered a medical emergency and spent several days in the costly ICU.
A GoFundMe page started for Laura by Vicki Rose has garnered more than $8,000 since it was launched Tuesday.
Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rose, a close friend of Laura’s wrote, “I have known Laura for 25 years, and she is one of the most caring, generous, and wonderful people I know. Hugely talented in agility, art, and horse training, she is 100% humble and would never ask for a thing. She has literally saved me and my sanity numerous times by helping me through the worst experiences of my life. She never asks anything from anyone, she is just humble and grateful and responsible and real. She is my best friend and the best business partner I could ever have.”
Click here to read more about Gustavo and to donate to his recovery.
Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Photo courtesy of GoFundMe
GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.