Friends Beat Blizzard, Bullets: Dogs Rescued In N.J.

Friendship proved to be stronger than blizzard or bullets during a recent animal rescue in Hudson County.

On Thursday, a day before a massive blizzard was predicted to dump two feet of snow in the area, two dogs were reported running loose in Liberty State Park, staff at the Liberty Humane Society said.

When a park officer tried to approach the two canines – later named Braveheart and Faithful – Braveheart charged at the officer and was shot three times, one with a tranquilizer and twice with a service firearm.

Both dogs then managed to escape into the park, LHS staff said.

State park officers set traps on Friday, hoping to capture the “cold, injured and scared” pair before the winter storm hit, LHS staff said.

And luckily, the following day – just as snow was beginning to pile up - both dogs were captured in the same trap.

“This means that despite Braveheart having been both shot and tranquilized, Faithful stayed with him,” LHS Executive Director Irene Borngraeber told Patch.

SURGERY AND ADOPTION

Braveheart, a two-year-old black lab/boxer mix, is currently undergoing surgery at the LHS vet’s office to remove two bullets and close his wounds and may need an extended hospital stay, Borngraeber said Monday afternoon.

But thankfully, his prognosis is good, she added.

Faithful, a two-year-old brindle boxer/pit mix, has been at LHS’s Jersey City facility ever since he was captured, and appears to be very sweet and easy to handle, Borngraeber stated.

“Given their bond, we would love to see both Faithful and Braveheart adopted together,” Borngraeber said. “Braveheart’s adoption date will depend on the outcome of his surgery. The cost of his medical will be significant, so we are setting up a donation link on our site for those who would like to contribute.”

See the online fundraiser here.

In honor of Braveheart and Faithful and the “human-animal bond,” LHS will host a fee-waived, Valentine’s Day adoption promotion from February 2 to 14.

Learn more about the adoption promotion here.

Pictured above: Faithful and Braveheart

Photo courtesy of Jersey City