In the aftermath of a fiery crash involving a semi-truck and a motorhome near Cactus Avenue and I-15, Southern Highlands residents have rallied to help an injured dog believed to be connected to the incident.
Though it remains unconfirmed if the dog was directly involved in Sunday night’s crash, rescuers found the pup roughly two miles from the crash site. Its injuries—a mix of burns, road rash, and a limp—suggest it may have suffered in the chaos of the accident.
Kristy Hingtgen, a Southern Highlands resident, was one of the first to spring into action after spotting a social media post mentioning a missing dog connected to the crash.
“A nurse shared that an accident victim mentioned one dog was still missing. There were no photos or details, but living so close to the crash site, I felt I had to act,” said Hingtgen.
Her instinct paid off. Shortly after sharing the news online, a local homeowner contacted her to report a dog waiting on their doorstep, injured and smelling of smoke.
“The smell was unmistakable—she reeked of burnt hair. It was heartbreaking,” Hingtgen said.
The dog was quickly taken to Horizon Ridge Animal Hospital, with help from the nonprofit pet rescue group Paws Patrol LV.
Dr. Maressa Larimer, who treated the dog, described the extent of its injuries: “She had burns across her body, including her whiskers, superficial burns on her fur, and lesions near her left eye. There was also road rash on her paws and a limp in her left hind leg.”
While the pup’s injuries are severe, veterinarians have expressed optimism about her recovery. The medical costs have already surpassed $1,000, but Paws Patrol LV is committed to covering the expenses.
“We’ll ensure she gets everything she needs,” said Tammy Salcianu of Paws Patrol LV. “The community has been incredibly supportive, and we’re hopeful donations will help cover her care until she can transition to a long-term rescue.”
Now, the focus shifts to reuniting the injured dog with her owner. Rescuers are leveraging social media to piece together the puzzle and locate the family of the resilient pup who has already endured so much.
For Southern Highlands residents like Hingtgen, the mission is personal. “I can’t imagine going through such a traumatic event and not knowing where my dog is. Everyone here is stepping up to help—because that’s what community is all about.”
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