A wolf attack could be the cause of a Black Creek dog's severe injuries, including a ripped-off tail, according to the dog's owner Samantha Garstang.
Garstang let her eight-month-old border collie-Jack Russell cross Nako out for a bathroom break on Thursday evening, and to her surprise he came back dripping blood 20 minutes later.
"His tail was removed, and he had extensive punctures and lacerations to his back legs and belly. His knee capsule was punctured and a ligament blown. His front knee was also bitten badly," wrote Garstang in an e-mail. "Nako really had to fight for his life and somehow he made it home to us."
Garstang rushed Nako to Van Isle Veterinary Hospital, where he underwent three hours of surgery and was still being monitored by hospital staff as of Monday afternoon.
Van Isle veterinarian Dr. Laura McKenny treated Nako on Thursday, and while she said she can't be sure exactly what attacked Nako, she is "very confident" it was a wild animal.
"The wounds are consistent with a wild animal attack that was trying to take down the dog," she said. "He was pretty torn apart."
McKenny also pointed out that Black Creek conservation officer Gordon Gudbranson said the wounds looked like they were caused by wolves specifically.
McKenny said hospital staff hope Nako will be home for Christmas.
"It's a long recovery but we're confident that he will pull through," she added.
Garstang said the hospital capped the Nako's care costs at $3,000 for his immediate surgery and care costs, and she said another possible surgery could cost about $1,000 more.
Garstang has set up a website with updates on Nako's progress and an option for donations toward Nako's vet bills. Anyone wishing to donate can go to http://nako.chipin.com/nako-lives.
Alternately, people can donate directly to Nako's account at Van Isle Veterinary Hospital at 1111 Braidwood Rd., or by calling the hospital at 250-334-8400 and using a credit card.
Garstang said she believes the attack happened on her property at Hamm and Macaulay Roads, because it happened so quickly and Nako had some gravel on his back consistent with what she has on her driveway.
She said her dog will not be allowed outside unsupervised anymore, and she worries about her three-year-old child.
"It's scary to think that this was so close in our yard," said Garstang. "It just really changes our pattern of what we're comfortable with."
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com