• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

LEE COUNTY, Fla. - A Cape Coral couple blaming Gulf Coast Humane Society for their dog's botched surgery but the humane society says it's not responsible and they're even willing to treat the dog for free. Four in your Corner Troubleshooter Mike Mason getting this dog some help tonight.

There's no question that this dog, named Jasper, is in a lot of pain. What's not clear is who's responsible for what went wrong. That's why we stepped in to help get jasper the treatment he needs.

2 year old Jasper is a Belgian Malinois, similar to a German Shepherd. His owners say he's constantly whining because he's been in pain since having surgery 2 weeks ago at Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Michelle Alcolea: "And I cried to them I was like, "You done this to my animal and now I have to take him home being hurt this way?"

On July 10th, Michelle Alcolea took Jasper to the humane society so he could be neutered. After the operation, Jasper had complications; the surgery site swelling up and bleeding.

Michelle Alcolea: "I picked up one of his legs and the blood just poured, it just poured out of him and it's just constantly pouring and pouring and pouring."

Jennifer Galloway: "We do a lot of spay and neuter surgeries here and this is not common, it's rare. It happens but it's not common, no."

Jennifer Galloway is the Executive Director of Gulf Coast Humane Society.  She says Jasper's complications required him to be seen by the vet for several days after surgery but his owners didn't show up to all of their appointments. She also says the owners didn't keep this special e-collar on Jasper, which is designed to keep dogs from licking their wounds.

Jennifer Galloway: "They can't be messing with that incision all the time, they need to leave that incision alone so it can drain and the swelling can go down properly."

Alcolea claims the humane society was charging her for follow up visits she simply couldn't afford.  Whatever the reason, Jasper is the one suffering.  In just the few minutes it took to do the interview ... You can see how Jasper's wound bled onto the concrete.

Michelle Alcolea: "I would appreciate it if they could fix him for free."

Jennifer Galloway: “We care about the animal but we can't help the animal if she doesn't bring him to us.
Mike Mason: "will you at least stop the bleeding issue without charging for the bleeding."
Jennifer Galloway: "Absolutely, absolutely."

We're told it's better to have your dog neutered in the first 5 months because older dogs are more likely to have complications after surgery. Jasper's owners plan to take him to the humane society tomorrow to get treated, we'll let you know how it goes.