Dog that chewed off its broken leg is safe at shelter

SALEM

A 6-year-old dog that chewed off her own broken left hind leg is in a humane shelter awaiting surgery this week and will eventually be available for adoption.

Holly, a wired-haired Jack Russell terrier-beagle mix, is at the Humane Society of Columbiana County in Salem, said Heather Jurina, shelter manager.

After receiving an anonymous tip, humane agent Jan Palmer found Holly Friday in a New Waterford residence.

A witness told Palmer that Holly originally lived in an outdoor rabbit hutch, where wire became wrapped around her leg, and she broke her leg trying to free it.

When her owners discovered her broken leg, they hid her in the basement, instead of taking her to a veterinarian, the witness said.

No criminal charges of animal abuse or neglect have yet been filed, but any charges would be up to Palmer, Jurina said late Sunday.