The dog found injured inside a trash can in Pacific Spirit Regional Park last week is now recovering from surgery.
Officials say Oscar the miniature poodle is doing well after being treated for a number of injuries, including a dislocated hip and multiple fractures.
Terry Sparrow and his fiancée Krista Brisk discovered the dog while walking on the Camosun Trail in the park last week. The animal has been staying with the couple’s friend Laurie Schildt, who named it after the trash-can-dwelling Sesame Street character Oscar the Grouch.
A fundraiser for Oscar’s care raised more than $7,000, and additional costs were covered by Canada West Veterinary Specialists, where the dog is receiving treatment.
Dr. Michael King, a veterinarian at Canada West, said it’s not clear how Oscar suffered his injuries.
“There was certainly some kind of blunt-force trauma to his chest and elbow, because that is the way you would get multiple rib fractures,” King said. “The hip part of things, that may have been a pre-existing condition that was something relatively benign and not a big deal to him. So, there’s not clear signs of abuse there, and we don’t actually know what caused the injury.”
King said the surgery addressed both the hip and elbow issues, and staff at Canada West are pleased with how it went.
Oscar seemed to be comfortable and recovering nicely on Wednesday, King said.
“He’s a pretty calm, quiet guy, which makes him an easy patient,” the veterinarian said. “He’s always excited to see people, though, and now that he’s feeling a bit better, we’re seeing a bit more of his personality come through. He’s certainly looking calmer, brighter, happier with us.”
University RCMP were called to investigate how Oscar ended up in the trash can, and the B.C. SPCA has also been involved in the case.
According to the SPCA, the dog has a microchip, but the chip was not registered, making it difficult to identify either the animal or the owner.
The maximum penalty for abandoning an animal in B.C. under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is a $75,000 fine and two years of imprisonment. A conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada can result in up to a $10,000 fine, and up to two years imprisonment.
Anyone who has information regarding the dog and how it wound up in a garbage can near the UBC campus asked to contact University RCMP and the B.C. SPCA.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Angelina Ravelli
