Hercules looking stronger

After taking a turn for the worst yesterday, Hercules, the dog dragged behind a vehicle for 5km, has shown signs of improvement after a surprise visit from his owner, according to the man treating him at Karratha Vet Hospital.

Hercules suffered severe burns to 20 per cent of his body and was bleeding from injuries to its eyes, ears, mouth and paws.

This afternoon the Pilbara News visited vet Rick Fenny who is "pulling out all the stops" to treat Hercules.

Mr Fenny said after initial fears that Hercules' condition had worsened due to extensive muscular damage, he is now optimistic about the canine’s recovery.

“This time yesterday morning I was very worried about Hercules, he was very flat and not looking up or responding to stimulation and his bloods weren’t looking very good,” he said.

“Basically what happens when you get a lot of trauma, the muscles breakdown into the bloodstream, and that can block the kidneys and cause kidney failure … that’s where he was heading to yesterday … his urine almost looks like blood.

“We pulled out all the stops and increased the rate of fluids, plasma infusions and pain relief in order to ensure he pulled through overnight.”

Mr Fenny said the dog's owner was extremely distraught by his condition and when the gentleman came to visit, Hercules immediately responded to the sound of his voice, lifted his head and attempted to sit up.

“There’s no doubt there is a bond between Hercules and the owner,” he said.

“He will probably be going back to the owner if he makes it … I’m an optimist at heart, I have a gut feeling he will be fine but there is still a long way to go.”

The story of Hercules’ fight for life has touched hearts all around the Pilbara, with in excess of $10,000 being donated towards the dog’s medical treatment.

Mr Fenny said the response from the public had been overwhelming.

“I was out the front yesterday and I was absolutely humbled by the number of people coming through the door, with tears in their eyes holding $50 notes in their hands saying this is for Hercules,” he said.

“There are the most amazing parallels with Red Dog Story … when Red Dog got baited there was a huge outpouring of local interest and local donations and the whole town was holding its breath to see if Red Dog was going to survive, just like Hercules but hopefully a brighter outcome this time.

“I just talked to the owner about the amount of money coming in and he’s going to be doing his best to pay off some of the account as well … The dog’s treatment has probably been around a few hundred dollars a day so the money donated has certainly been a blessing.”

Mr Fenny said any money left over that was not used up on Hercules’ treatment would be kept in reserve as a fighting fund for future animals in similar situations.

Police have charged a 35-year-old man in relation to the incident in Wickham on Tuesday. The man charged was not the owner of the dog.

Police allege Hercules was dragged behind a vehicle at speeds of up to 70km/h on both bitumen road and on various back tracks.

It is also alleged the man took the dog to the beach and placed him in sea water to help it with its burns, before he took it home and covered it in tea tree oil and water.

Police arrested the man, of Wickham, and he has been bailed to appear in the Karratha Magistrate's Court on October 22 on the offences of cruelty to animals and contravening a learner's permit.

If you are interested in donating to Hercules’ treatment, see the Karratha Veterinary Hospital Facebook page for details or call 9185 1600.