Over $7K Raised For Beverly Dog Who Had Jaw Broken During Break-In

BEVERLY, MA – Mariah Nolasco says she not the type of person who has ever won a lottery ticket, but she feels incredibly lucky that so many people have showed support for her injured dog.

Athena, an Olde English Bulldog puppy, was hurt during a possible break-in last Friday that Beverly Police are investigating. Nolasco walked into her Beverly home to find blood on the floor and couch, and rushed Athena to the vet to learn that she had a broken jaw on both sides.

The second surgery Athena needed – a reconstructive surgery – costs $7,000. A GoFundMe page for Athena and Nolasco raised $7,250 (not including the portion that GoFundMe takes) as of Wednesday.

"I'm so grateful. I've lived in Beverly my whole life, I was born in Beverly Hospital, I've never lived anywhere but in Beverly," said Nolasco on Wednesday. "I never imagined that Athena would be here three days later with so much love and support. This little dog has so much support from the community."

Nolasco said Athena got the surgery on Wednesday, and was expecting to bring her home soon. But Athena has a long road ahead of her: She's still skittish after the break-in. The puppy only stops crying and whimpering when Nolasco's two-year-old daughter sings to her, Nolasco said.

"No one can predict that one day this will happen, and someone will come in and hurt your pet," she said. "I just don't understand how a human can do this. She's just the sweetest dog."

Images via Mariah Nolasco