Animal Rescue League Raising Money To Help Beagle With Paralyzed Back Legs

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Staff at the Animal Rescue League call her Gracie.

A driver found the unidentified beagle mix on the side of a road in Penn Hills, and brought her to the shelter.

"We're not sure what she went through, since she came to us as a stray," says ARL Executive Director Dan Rossi. "But she really is one of the sweetest dogs we've ever had in here."

Rossi thinks the injury that paralyzed her back legs happened recently.

"We're thinking some sort of abuse situation went on here, but only Gracie knows for sure, and she's not telling us," Rossi says.

Veterinary technician Stephanie Fisher says Gracie has a disc problem.

"Sometimes dogs slip discs in their backs, similar to when humans do it as well. And there is a surgery that can correct that," Fisher said.

"Her spinal column isn't crushed or anything like that," Rossi adds. "So it should be a fixable situation, but it's an expensive situation for us. We're probably talking about $5,000."

For information, log on to www.animalrescueleague.org.

If you'd like to help Gracie, you can make a donation at http://www.animalrescue.org/donate/donate-now/ and type "Gracie" in the donation field or call the ARL Development Department at 412-345-7300 x213.

The little dog isn't asking for much.

"Her big thing is she just wants to sit on your lap and be loved," Rossi says.

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