Abandoned beagle gets second chance

TAVARES - A big, empty field seemed like an odd place for a dog to be just sitting. But Jefferson, a 5-year-old beagle, couldn't get very far. Both his front paws are deformed, and he has trouble walking.

Jefferson may have been abandoned by his owners. He was rescued by Lake County Animal Services.

"He developed instability in the ligaments that support the joints," according to veterinarian Callum Hay.

"When he was brought to the shelter because of his condition, they deemed him as unadoptable," according to Jack Novoselski, president of SouthEast Beagle Rescue . "This poor guy would be dead today if the volunteer hadn't called us and we hadn't stepped up to take him."

While he was brought to the Bay Area, Jefferson has a huge medical challenge ahead of him. Dr Hay will perform delicate surgery to repair Jefferson's deformed paws.

"When we do surgery, we usually put one or two bone plates with screws, which essentially spans the entire joint," Hay said.

Without the surgery, Jefferson's life span would almost certainly be cut short. He is likely in chronic pain because his condition would be like walking on your wrists.

"The goal of surgery is try to fuse the wrists in a fixed position so he can walk more normally," Dr. Hay said. It could cost up to $3,500.00 for the operation. People can donate to the surgery fund run by SouthEast Beagle Rescue or 813-453-1884.