UWS Students Raise $800 To Pay For Injured Dog's Vet Bills
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A dog that was rescued after being dumped on a Brooklyn street and left to die is recovering thanks in part to students from an Upper West Side school that helped raise money to pay for her medical bills.
The young pit bull puppy named Misty was found with serious injuries and bite wounds all over her face and body. She is believed to have been used as a bait dog for dog fighting.
UWS Students Raise $800 To Pay For Injured Dog's Vet Bills
When Second Chance Rescue took Misty from a city shelter to treat her wounds, students at the Stephen Gaynor School began following the pup's progress on the "Misty's Journey" Facebook page and decided to help.
They set up bake sales and raised more than $800 to help pay for Misty's care.
Dr. Kim Spanjol, a school counselor who works with the students on humane-education programs, said the students were inspired to help Misty.
"We do donate to a lot of dogs, but Misty was the victim of dog fighting which is a big problem in our city, around the country and around the world" she told 1010 WINS.
On Thursday, Misty visited the school so students could meet her in person.
Spanjol said she hopes the students' work will help raise awareness about dog fighting.
"There aren't any bad dogs, there are bad owners," Spanjol said. "And that's a message that the kids feel really strongly about -- that pit bulls are often victimized because of that image and it's really, really shameful and the kids want to do everything they can to show people that pit bulls are also sweet and loving dogs and Misty is a perfect example of that."
Spanjol said the students have formed a group called the Youth Animal Protectors Club.
"It's an issue that they care about very deeply," she said.
Misty is doing much better and is ready for adoption. If you'd like to adopt or more information, visit www.nycsecondchancerescue.org.
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