Dog to Undergo Surgery After Chewing Off Foot While He Was Trapped

Maverick is believed to have been trapped in a tether for about a full day before he chewed off his foot

A 2-year-old German Shepherd is getting the help he needs after officials say he chewed off his right rear foot when he became trapped in a tether at a home in Middleboro, Massachusetts.

At first glance, it's hard to tell that Maverick was clinging to life less than two weeks ago.

"He had been tethered and the tether was wrapped across his leg," said Alyssa Krieer of the MSPCA Adotion Center. "The tether was cutting into his leg but he had also chewed off all the toes on his back right foot."

MSPCA officials said the dog was tangled and in pain for days before a neighbor called animal control Who then brought him to the Jamaica Plain facility.

The vets caring for him believe that this kind of abuse has happened before.

Maverick is now waiting to have surgery on his foot, although his toes are gone. The head of surgery at the Angell Medical Center is hoping a "one of a kind" operation will be able to reconfigure his foot and keep him walking.

"After his surgery his prognosis is pretty good," said Krieer. "After his surgery he will have kind of a mis-shapen but totally functioning foot left."

MSPCA Officials said Maverick's former owner, Kevin Kennedy, is facing an animal cruelty charge and will be arraigned on August 18. He could face up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to 5-thousand dollars.

Neighbors said they believed the dog was a gift Kennedy to help him cope with the loss of his wife.

Maverick will eventually be put up for adoption. Anyone interested in adopting him can contact the MSPCA's adoption center directly at adoption@mspca.org. Donations towards his surgery can be made to www.mspca.org/helpmaverick.

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