Rico & Ace – The Right Place at the Wrong Time

This was a glorious weekend – sunny, not too hot; simply glorious. While we were enjoying our BBQs, relaxing on the beach or reading a really good book – Big East Akita Rescue and Akita Rescue Society of Florida were frantically working to get custody of two Akitas who were in the RIGHT place at the WRONG time and nearly died for it.

On Thursday in the late afternoon, Rico, a 5 month old male akita puppy, and his big brother ace, a 14 month old akita puppy, were in their own yard when the worst possible thing that could happen, did. They were not doing anything wrong, they were not loose, they did not chase a cat or dog or bite a child - they were right where they were supposed to be, in their own yard…But, this time that did not matter. Police responding to a house alarm encountered Rico and Ace in their own yard and, for reasons yet to determined, thought it necessary to shoot both puppies.

Rico and Ace’s owners were not prepared for the immense vet bills that Rico and Ace will require – so they signed their pets over to BARC of Houston, TX where they were examined by the shelter veterinarian.

This is all we knew:

A1492576—dog turned in by owner due to inability to care for pt after gun shot wounds by police responding to a burgular alarm. Dog was taken into EC last night and was given medication. dog turned in with Housemate , a five month old Akita named Rico.Bullet lodged behind rt scapular and fragments above C2-C3. dog appears to not be affectred neurologically or Showing lameness.

A1492577—dog turned in by owner due to inability to care for pt after gun shot wounds by police responding to a burgular alarm. Dog was taken into EC last night and was given medication. Dog turned in with Housemate , a 14 month old Akita named ACE. Bullet lodged behind rt elbow and fragments above olecranon -olecranon is shattered ventrally. Dog appears to not be affectred neurologically but has a splint on to aid lameness. Surgical correction will be needed.

Like any other shelter on a summer weekend, BARC was packed and very busy – and very hard to reach. The wheels always grind slower than we would like – there are rules and laws. Procedures and protocols…

BARC does not have the resources to perform surgery on dogs that are injured like this so Rico and Ace had to wait until someone came to save them – until someone came to ease their pain. They lost their home and nearly their lives, and they waited… Minutes turned to hours, hours to days but finally with the help of Friends of BARC, and the staff at BARC Houston, these two injured, frightened dogs were released into the loving care of BEAR.

With Friends of BARC volunteer Tim Kinsella at the wheel, Rico and Ace left the shelter behind for the safety of an emergency vet where they will stay while they are treated and until they are healthy. Through all this Rico and Ace have been nothing but sweet – allowing their wounds to be cleaned and dressed with no fuss, meeting strangers like they were old friends...These dogs did not protest nor seek revenge for the pain rained down on them, they just acted like akitas; stoic and strong.

Rico and Ace have a long journey ahead and the future is still unsure…Will Rico loose his leg – we do not know yet…What will Ace need for surgery to remove the bullet fragments in his body? We do not know yet.

What we do know is that these dogs need our help – BEAR needs our help to cover the cost of the medical care and medical boarding that will be required to bring these two young, gentle, Akitas back to health once again.

Please be a part of Rico and Ace’s future and donate to their care.