By Press Release
By Carole Dennett
This picture should make Islanders who intervened when they saw a man beating his dog “incredibly proud” of themselves. That’s according to Helen Sinclair, founder of local charity, Friends of the Animals, who feared the young border collie’s injuries were so severe that she would lose a leg.
When JuJu came into the charity’s care, she was in a pitiful condition. She had a pin poking through an infected front leg with a bandage that had not been changed for six months, a paw so badly crushed the bones had fused together and untreated, festering stab wounds.
The initial prognosis of Island Vetcare in Ryde was that the leg would need to be amputated. However, after careful treatment and care, costing almost £1,100, they saved her leg, and she was ready for her new home.
The dog’s original owner, Westminster resident, Huaqiu Chen, was arrested in June after members of the public intervened and then called the police when he was abusing the dog outside McDonald’s in Newport. One man was so enraged he physically intervened to stop the Chinese man from hurting JuJu. Both men were arrested, but the hero bystander was quickly released without charge.
In September, Chen pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Last month, he was fined £2,000 and banned from keeping animals for ten years. He claimed to police that the dog had caused the stab wounds herself after getting hold of a knife. Statements from Islanders, who witnessed him beating the dog, were used as evidence in the case.
Rechristened JJ and with a “fantastic” new home, the 15-month-old has settled into her new Island life with two canine friends to share it with.
Helen said: “Everybody who intervened that day should feel incredibly proud. If they had walked on by, poor JuJu would have gone back to London with her cruel master and suffered even more pain and abuse. If she could speak, she would thank every one of you.
“It is wonderful to see she’s enjoying life in her fantastic new home. She adores her new family – both human and canine.”
Nici, JJ’s new owner, said: “She is settling in well with Angus the Cockerpoo and Reggie, a rescue from Cyprus who was abandoned in a cardboard box on a building site. They all lie on the sofa together. Injuries sustained from her previous owner have left JJ with permanent damage, which will cause problems with her mobility as she ages. Still, she is no longer in pain and enjoys her daily exercise.
“We initially fostered her but fell in love with her and couldn’t bear to see her have to adjust to another family, so she’s found her forever home with us.
“Friends of the Animals is an extraordinary charity; they covered all her vet bills before we adopted her.”
Helen added: “Our motto is ‘Every day we make good things happen, but we can only do it with your help’, and JJ’s story illustrates that perfectly. So many animals need us, especially in these difficult times, and we will always do whatever we can for them.
“If anybody can donate towards JJ’s vet bills, we would so much appreciate it. It will enable us to be there for more animals who need us.”
If you’d like to help, call 522511 (Tues – Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat 10am to 4pm) or go to friendsoftheanimals.co.uk/donate.
Court details courtesy of Island Echo.
