Injured dog gets a new ‘leash’ on life

Cheatham County Animal Control has provided rescue, shelter and recovery for a dog found near death on Old Clarksville Pike in late July.

According to authorities, the dog was hit by a car and its owner allegedly never took him to the vet.

The two-year old bloodhound, which has been named Little Man, was paralyzed due to a spinal injury from being hit by a vehicle, losing use of his hind quarters.

“When we examined him, his gums were gray colored which indicates that he was near death,” said CCAC director T.J. Jordi.

Jordi said the dog had been dragging himself around over gravel and other rough surfaces, literally wearing his pads and feet to bare bone exposing the marrow.

“The injured paws and other wounds were full of maggots,” Jordi said.

Part of his recovery at CCAC has included being fitted for and learning to use a canine wheelchair to get around.

Jordi credits the support of his CCAC staff and volunteer Alexa Bessler with helping to give Little Man a new lease on life which includes being ready for adoption.

Jordi pointed out that many facilities and many owners would have euthanized a dog like Little Man, but CCAC makes decisions based on hope for recovery whenever possible.

Jordi is also the owner of Scooter, a dog that uses a wheelchair, and is an active part of a countywide literacy program to encouraging reading via frequent visit to the county’s libraries.

Little Man was owned by Derric Jenkins.

Jenkins, who was initially charged in August, received an 11-month, 29-day suspension during an appearance on Oct. 7 in Cheatham County General Sessions Court. The case is up for review on April 27, 2016, according to court records.

For more information on adopting Little Man, visit noahsarksocity.org.

Randy Moomaw can be reached at 615-792-4230.