A 14-month-old Rottweiler named Mellow is clinging to life, recovering from a brutal gunshot wound he sustained outside his Miami home, as his family and local animal lovers race against time to raise funds for his crucial surgery. According to WSVN, the young dog, sporting a conspicuous blue cast, requires specialized surgery to repair broken bones and ruptured tendons. Mellow's owner, Clinton Lee, was at a loss when his pet returned home injured and bleeding.
In a plea for justice and support, Lee told WSVN, "I want to know why they did it. Why would they do that to my dog?" His son, Jayden Sparks, 14, echoed the sentiment in despair, sharing with Local10, "I started crying a little bit — I love him." The family, shattered by the senseless act of violence, awaits the operation that could save Mellow’s leg and restore a piece of their normalcy.
With estimated costs soaring to $5,000, iHeart Animal Rescue has stepped forward, taking the lead in raising the needed funds for Mellow's procedure, which will take place next week at Sunshine Animal Hospital in Pembroke Pines. Cindy Mucciaccio of iHeart Animal Rescue conveyed her dismay to WSVN, stating, "It’s just horrible. There’s no words for it." The Brady Hunter Foundation has also joined the cause, with executive director Josh Fox expressing their commitment to saving the dog's leg and, by extension, his quality of life.
The challenge of Mellow's condition was highlighted by Dr. Maria Serrano, Chief Veterinarian at Miami-Dade Animal Services. "Generally, this is an injury that, in a shelter, is very complicated to repair," she explained to Local10. "It requires a specialized surgeon," she continued, emphasizing the complexity of the procedure Mellow must undergo to fully recover. The strides taken by the community's "amazing rescue partners," as Serrano puts it, represents the commitment animal advocates in Miami and Broward County have for creatures of all walks of life.
Meanwhile, the search for the perpetrator continues, with Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. If you have any details on the shooter, you are urged to call 305-471-TIPS.
