A Show of 'Mercy': Community Rallies To Save Life Of Dog Found Injured Along I-355

TINLEY PARK, IL — A dog found critically injured along I-355 July 5 is lucky to be alive, thanks to the quick thinking of good Samaritans, support of a local shelter, and skill of veterinarians.

Affectionately named "Mercy" by the people who showed her that exact kindness, the 5-year-old German shepherd/cattle dog mix was discovered July 5 near the 159th Street exit by a Homer Glen man en route to church.

"When I drove by she was sitting up propped up with one front leg," said Guy White, the man who first spotted Mercy. "She was panting and looked fatigued and desperate. She was very sheepish and timid.

"I stopped short of her as I was on the phone with the police as I approached. When she saw me she laid down in submission and tried to give me belly. So right away I knew she was approachable and hurt and needed help. I could tell she was injured because she was limping and was bleeding down her front right leg."

Another bystander—identified by White as Amanda Buric—witnessed White's efforts and also stopped to help. Together, they rushed her to an emergency vet clinic, where PAWS Tinley Park intervened. A third woman also helped at the scene, White said, but he was unsure of her name.

Mercy appeared to have been struck by a vehicle, her leg badly broken. It required amputation for Mercy to live.

"While things were unfolding, I was on the phone with Guy looking up emergency vet clinics and calling places to figure out where he could take her," said Guy's wife Rachel White. "Once he got her to the vet and they gave an estimate on what her expenses might be, I put together the fundraiser page right away."

White's online fundraiser quickly collected more than $4,000. The fundraiser is still active, and all funds will be given to PAWS. PAWS is also accepting direct donations toward her ongoing care.

White initially took her to a clinic that would not be able to perform the surgery that day. PAWS Tinley Park Board Director Dave Otto met them, transferred Mercy into his car and took her to Midwest Animal Hospital in Orland Park, where a surgeon had been called in to operate immediately.

Everyone—from the man who found her to the surgeon who worked quickly to give her the best shot at recovery—rallied around Mercy.

"What the people did was amazing," said Otto, board director with PAWS Tinley Park. "It was amazing that they were able to pick her up."

Mercy needed an immediate leg amputation to survive, PAWS updated followers, and Dr. Lukas at Midwest rushed her into surgery to save her life.

"The fact that Midwest was able to call in a vet that day to do the surgery—I don’t know that the dog would have made it if they did not call someone in," Otto said. "They really went above and beyond on this one."

The desire to help came naturally for White and his wife.

"We are dog people and have a sweet terrier mix rescue dog of our own named Junebug," Rachel White said. "We do care about helping all animals and people who need it when we can. And if it were our dog, this is how we would want her to be treated."

Mercy's recovery is especially poignant to the couple, who suffered the loss of a child just days earlier.

"Recently, we were expecting our second child and sadly lost him," Rachel White said. "I gave birth to him at 20 weeks just a couple days before Guy found Mercy. We felt that helping this dog was a way to take our eyes off of our own problems and focus on helping Mercy when she was obviously in need.

"We are helping her get the healing she needs, and in return she’s helping to heal our hearts at the same time."

PAWS is still working to find Mercy's owners. She is not microchipped, and while she was wearing a collar, there were no tags.

Otto said he's uncertain if an owner will be found, given that no one has come forward yet as her story gains traction across social media.

"It’s everywhere—if they were looking for her, I would think by now someone would have come forward," he said.

Having suffered extensive injuries, Mercy is still healing, but can stand again. While unsure of her personality on the other side of the trauma she's endured, Otto is hopeful they'll learn more about her soon. It will take some time before Mercy is eligible for adoption. She'll continue receiving care meanwhile.

"She does still have a long road ahead," Otto said.

If Mercy looks like your dog or the dog of someone you know, contact PAWS of Tinley Park at pawstinleypark@gmail.com. Email is the best method of contact.