Play all audios:
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
A B.C. SPCA manager was shocked when she first saw Heidi’s injuries. The three-year-old German shepherd was tethered in the back of a pickup when she fell to the road and was dragged for so
long that her paws and lower legs were worn down to the bone.
“When I first saw the pictures of Heidi’s injuries, I was shocked,” said the B.C. SPCA’s Eileen Drever. “The physical and psychological pain that this kind of tragic event would cause is
unimaginable.”
Drever said it’s illegal to travel with an unsecured pet in the back of a truck, but even putting them in the back on a tether is risky: “The best and safest way to transport dogs is always
inside the vehicle, preferably with a harness made specifically for travelling in a vehicle.”
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox.
A witness to Heidi’s plight called police after finding the dog and her owner on the side of the road. Drever said the shepherd was in “critical distress” and was seized by the RCMP and
rushed to a veterinary hospital. She had emergency surgery then spent nearly a month in hospital getting round-the-clock care for bandage changes and pain management.
The SPCA is covering all costs for Heidi’s treatment, which continues.
Staff at the vet hospital and the SPCA’s Nanaimo pet shelter say Heidi is “a lovely dog, with a friendly disposition despite what she has been through.” She will be available for adoption in
mid-December.
In the meantime, several donors have offered to match contributions up to $150,000 for the care of Heidi and other animals in distress. Anyone who can help is asked to go to
spca.bc.ca/donations/holidays.
© 2025 Vancouver Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.