Lieutenant Matthew Castle of Martin City Police Department found a stray dog in very poor condition in Floyd County, Kentucky. Starved, shot and with his wounds infested with maggots, the little dog urgently needed help.
Note: Castle’s touching rescue story is from the DogHeirs archive and was originally published on DogHeirs.com in August of 2013 along with our exclusive updates from his rescuers.
“I don’t think he could have lasted much longer,” Lt. Castle told WKYT. “He was so malnourished that he couldn’t even use his hind legs. He was having to walk on his front paws.”
When Martin City PD couldn’t get a hold of a veterinarian or animal rescue, they put up a photo of the dog and message on their Facebook page asking for help.
“Castle” on his way to getting help. Photo: Facebook/Martin City Police Department
Shauna Brown, from Floyd County Animal Shelter, immediately responded and came to the poor dog’s aid. She named the dog Castle after the man who saved him. She said that the 14-pound dog appears to have also been hit by a car in addition to having been starved and shot with a bb gun. She suspects he was a stray as he does not act like he’s ever had a home.
She posted a video of Castle on Facebook and wrote, “This is castle, the dog found by Martin pd. as u can see, he’s been starved so long that he pretty much drags his back legs and has a bb wound in the neck. He weighs 14 pounds. A big round of applause to the Martin officers for saving this baby. I’ve started fluids and treatment for the maggots in his wound. Hopefully he will make a full recovery.”
Castle is receiving medical attention after he was rescued by a police officer
Shauna said they’ve already fitted him with a wheelchair but Castle did not respond well to it, so for now they’re focusing on getting him back to health. She said that once he’s better, they will place him in a home or find a rescue who will help find him a loving home.
After Castle’s initial rescue, Shauna provided update on his recovery under her watchful eye.
Castle appears to be feeling better today. This morning Castle snuck in and stole Shauna’s breakfast. She wrote, “mr castle must have his full appetite back as he just snuck in and stole my breakfast. Not the healthiest option for a dog in his condition but once it was in his mouth there wasn’t much I could do lol. His back legs r getting stronger too because they aided in the breakfast snatching.”
She also said he had a bath (doesn’t like them) and has gained a pound. “Well Castle has gained a pound! I know it doesn’t sound like much but with him being so starved and his body shutting down we had to start food slowly. Plus his tummy had shrank and couldn’t hold much at one time. So while a pound doesn’t seem like much, to us it’s a little victory! He goes back to the vet tomorrow for some more blood work to make sure his kidneys and liver are still functioning well and if everything goes ok then we can start with bigger meals and hopefully fatten him up.”
Castle has been to the vet for some more extensive testing. He is heartworm negative, which is good news. Bloodwork shows elevated liver levels due to the starvation but the vet said not to panic as it’s likely this is because he went so long without food and now his body has to get used to it processing it again. Castle is also anemic and has an infection, which are being treated with antibiotics.
His X-rays show that he has had a fracture in his pelvis but it has healed. However his femur has been completely shattered. Doctors said he has to be careful with it, but it’s already begun healing. He’s on some pain meds to help this and plans are for him to get hydrotherapy to help regain the use of his back legs. But, overall Shauna said it was a pretty good diagnosis. Below is a video of Castle getting around using one back leg, but he gets tired very easily.
Sadly, a few days after his initial vet visit, Castle suffered a setback.
DogHeirs posted an update on Castle from Shauna this afternoon and it appears Castle has a setback in his road back to health. Shauna wrote, “Unfortunately he tested positive this morning for parvovirus and is in the doggie hospital so the donations are seriously needed and appreciated.”
Castle had tested negative last week for the disease so this has come as a blow to his caregiver. “As if he hasn’t been try enough already. Now this,” wrote Shauna. “As weak as he was already, I just honestly don’t know if he will make it thru. We’re starting meds now along with more fluids. He’s come so far. This just isn’t fair.”
But a few days later Shauna shared a positive update.
Great news! Castle has beaten his fight with parvo! Shauna posted the great news below in the comments section writing, “I have wonderful news. Castle has been discharged from the hospital and back here with me. He’s eating well and using the potty outside! Can u believe all the things that he’s overcome in his short life?”
A few days later, he was even better.
Castle is doing really well a week after being hospitalized with parvo. Shauna shared a video of Castle waking up and barking (see below). He’s begun to talk quite a bit. Shauna writes, “He started something new today. He barks! If you are eating he stares at you and barks til he gets a bite. If he hears my other dogs bark, he will bark too. And if anyone gets too close to my bed, he Really barks lol”
Castle is also enjoying snuggling up to everyone in Shauna’s family. She says, “Woke up this morning and couldn’t find castle anywhere. He either sleeps in my bed or on one of his beds beside of my bed and he wasn’t there. I looked outside. I looked in my closet. Finally I saw him sleeping soundly on my couch with Lucas! Don’t know how he got up there and Lucas didn’t know either so he must be able to get some bounce out of those back legs now.”
Castle also likes to snuggle with Lucas’ cat.
