Puppy Diagnosed With Broken Leg In Waltham Needs New Home

WALTHAM, MA, — A 4-month-old Miniature Pinscher puppy named “Coco” with a broken leg is looking for a new forever home after a trip to the Waltham MSPCA emergency clinic and her rambunctious spirit proved too much for her previous owners.

Coco is just one of the more than 100,000 animals whose medical and sheltering needs are met each year by the MSPCA-Angell.

“The ongoing pandemic has resulted in a surge in pet adoptions (and purchases), and that’s a very good thing for animals," Anna Rafferty-Arnold, associate director at the MSPCA-Angell adoption center in Boston, said.

But it also hammers home the need for the animals to be matched to the right humans. The previous family’s struggle with caring for Coco was amplified after she broke her front left leg when jumping out of her new owner’s arms while the owner was attempting to leash her, according to MSPCA. It prompted a visit to the emergency clinic at the MSPCA-Angell West in Waltham, which diagnosed a fracture to her radius bone.

Overwhelmed, her owners surrendered young Coco to the MSPCA’s Jamaica Plain animal care and adoption center, where she is recovering.

“This is a particularly sad case because Coco is so playful and energetic, but her injury will restrict her movement over the next several weeks, and that’s especially tough for puppies who want to run and play,” said Rafferty-Arnold. "We’re looking for a very active family or individual who can keep up with Coco’s zest for life."

The adoption center is accepting adoption applications for Coco, and anyone interested in taking her home should email adoption@mspca.org. Given Coco’s history, the staff is being especially careful when evaluating potential adopters.