Puppy found with taped snout has surgery, on road to recovery

CHICAGO -- A 4-month-old dog, who was found wandering in a yard in northwest Indiana with its snout taped shut, is recovering after surgery Saturday in Chicago.

The tape prevented the puppy from eating, drinking or breathing well, but the dog also had other injuries -- two broken hips caused by blunt force trauma.

The puppy, found on Christmas Day by chance and named "Chance Christmas," had injuries that animal abuse rescue workers said were the worst they have ever seen.

Scars still cover the puppy's face. And on Saturday, he underwent complex surgery to repair his hips.

The Chicago doctor who performed the life-saving surgery said Saturday night that things went perfectly. Now, the terrier pit bull puppy will have about a month of recovery and rehab before he will be available for adoption.

Dr. Aaron Jackson, of MedVet Chicago, said after the surgery that Chance Christmas should have a normal life span.

Guardians of the Green Mile in northwest Indiana took the dog in and has featured him on their Facebook page, which has led to thousands of dollars in donations and hundreds of requests to adopt him. They hope interest in this puppy will help save hundreds of other animal's lives as well.

Those who have been around Chance Christmas said he is a very friendly dog.

"He's a great dog with a great personality that had some horrific injuries and we get to help him out," Jackson said.

The rescue volunteers brought Chance Christmas to the Chicago facility because there were specialists more experienced with doing the complicated surgery that the puppy needed.

X-rays show breaks near the joint in both hips. The operation takes a little more than an hour and chance sleeps through the whole thing because he's under general anesthesia for the duration.

Doctors said after the surgery he can live a normal life.

"He'll make a good pet for somebody," Jackson said.

Michigan City police have reportedly questioned a person of interest regarding the abuse. Sources said they have identified the dog's possible owner, who claims he ran away.