Puppy Found In Acton Suffers Severe Chemical Burns, Broken Leg

ACTON, MA — A 12-week-old puppy is being treated for severe injuries after she was found in Acton by a good samaritan. The puppy, now named Ramona, suffered chemical burns and a broken leg — MSPCA-Angell said her injuries are so severe she may never recover. The organization has teamed up with Acton police to try to catch the person responsible.

Ramona was found cowering alongside a trail in Acton on Nov. 15 by a good Samaritan who was walking her own dog in the woods. The puppy was wagging her tail but was unable to walk, and her small body was covered in open wounds, the organization said in a press release. Ramona has been under treatment at MSPCA-Angell's Boston Medical Center.

MSPCA-Angell said what appears to be severe chemical burns cover over 40 percent of Ramona's body. The wounds are so serious that they require weekly debridement to remove dead tissue, so as to improve the odds that remaining skin can heal.

“Not only is she dealing with these horrendous skin wounds, but she also has a broken left front elbow, which started to heal improperly, so we may need to amputate that leg,” said Dr. Rebecca Fellman, the MSPCA’s shelter veterinarian.

In addition to her skin wounds and broken leg, Ramona has bite wounds on her back.

The Angell veterinary team immediately started the puppy on pain medicine and IV fluids to stabilize her, before she was transferred to the MSPCA’s adoption center clinic for continued care. Ramona is expected to stay at the MSPCA for the next four months.

“Obviously we very much hope we can get to the stage where we place her into an adoptive home because, after all she’s been through, she deserves that more than anything,” said Dr. Fellman.

The Acton Police Dept. and the MSPCA-Angell have announced a combined $1,000 reward for information leading to an animal cruelty conviction. Anyone with information is urged to call either the Acton Police Department at 978-929-7711 or the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement Department at 800-628-5808.

The MSPCA is raising funds to offset the cost of the surgeries and after-care for Ramona, which is expected to exceed $4,000. Anyone who wishes to contribute can do so via www.mspca.org/helpramona.