By Khalida Sarwari
There are champs, and then there’s Champ. In the few years that he’s been in this world, life hasn’t always been kind to the pit bull.
In July he was found tied to a fence with a computer cord at a school yard in a Campbell school district site and was essentially left for dead. But although he is now blind and traumatized, Champ has proven to be one resilient dog.
Champ lives in a foster care home in San Jose. It is where he has been recovering since undergoing multiple surgeries, including one that involved removing both of his eyes.
He was found on July 11 by a woman working at a Campbell school district site. The woman took him to a nearby emergency veterinary hospital where her sister, Kelly Olszewski, works as a vet technician. He was treated for cuts and lacerations and underwent surgery to remove his eyes.
The vet costs have totaled $1,100, according to Melissa Lisbon, co-founder of San Jose Animal Advocates, an organization that works to raise awareness about local shelter animals that are in urgent need of adoption.
“We were able to raise donations of $1,200 to cover Champ’s vet fees, and are currently raising money to help offset the costs associated with fostering a special needs dog,” she said.
The vet who treated Champ suspects that, based on the nature of injuries he had, he may have been used as a bait dog.
“They determined he was blind,” said Lisbon. “They think it was due to trauma.”
An animal abuse report has been filed in the case, according to Lisbon.
These days, Champ seems to be doing better than expected. He is healing surprisingly well, Lisbon said.
“He’s a happy dog, despite the trauma he’s gone through,” she said. “He’s very sweet, incredibly playful and friendly.”
San Jose Animal Advocates is looking for a permanent home for Champ.
“He pretty much defines special needs,” said Lisbon. “What we’re looking for is ideally someone who has had experience with visually impaired dogs or is knowledgeable about that.”
The best home would be one in the Bay Area, because transporting Champ during his recovery is not ideal, Lisbon said. He requires people that can give him the time he will need until he recovers.
San Jose Animal Advocates is also working with Our Pack, a local pit bull rescue organization, to evaluate Champ and determine if he could live with other dogs.
“That would help us know whether that’s a requirement,” Lisbon said.
Anyone interested in adopting Champ can apply by visiting his designated Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/ChampionsForChamp.
