May 19, 2004. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. The BC SPCA is seeking a loving foster home for a beautiful female Akita-Shepherd cross who survived a terrible ordeal after a run-in with a porcupine near Chilliwack. The SPCA rushed the dog to a veterinarian, where 980 quills were removed from her face and body, including 300 quills puncturing the inside of her mouth. The dog's owner had refused to take her to a veterinarian for several days and when a family member finally brought her to the Chilliwack SPCA she was suffering from severe pain, infection and abscesses, as well as dehydration and hyperthermia because of her inability to drink liquids or to pant to cool her body.

"Spud" has a gentle and loving nature and has captured the hearts of staff at the SPCA Hospital in Vancouver, where she is slowing recovering from her injuries. She is no longer on morphine and is continuing to respond to antibiotics. While she is now attempting to eat pureed food, she is still in a lot of pain and will need on-going care and attention as she heals.

Two other dogs owned by the family also received minor injuries from the porcupine. The SPCA convinced the family to surrender the dogs and brought them for treatment at the SPCA Hospital, where they are both resting comfortably.

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"Before" photos of Spud can be viewed here (* WARNING - the photos are quite disturbing *)
Spud and the two other dogs surrendered by the owner are available to media for photos or videotaping.
Further information:
Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer, BC SPCA: 604-709-4670;
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or 830-7179 (cell);