Document text
The odds are against terrier named John Doe Mail Tribune / Jim Craven "John Doe" is a Yorkshire terrier taken in by Medford police and Roxy Ann Veterinarian Hospital. The dog, probably a stray, is in bad shape after being hit by a vehicle Wednesday. Vets at Roxy Ann say there is only so much they can do for the dog unless someone steps up to claim him. Injured Yorkie probably headed for the shelter By Jill Briskey CENTRAL POINT � Not knowing his name, the staff at Roxy Ann Veterinarian Hospital refer to him as "John Doe." Small and tattered, the male Yorkshire terrier wobbled toward the sound of Dr. Pat Knox�s voice before falling with a soft thud. "Oh, kiddo, I know," Knox said as the little dog whimpered with pain. The vet�s hands pushed tufts of black and tan fur away from his eyes. Nobody is really quite sure just how badly this little dog was injured on Wednesday night. There was head trauma, and Knox believes his jaw may be fractured. John Doe is in bad shape. His fur is matted and he has no collar or license. Knox said he�s probably a stray. He wasn�t expected to live, Knox added, but somehow he keeps pulling through. "We still don�t know if he�s going to make it," she said. "Sometimes they will hang on a while, but the damage to the brain can get worse as time passes." It�s hard not to take a liking to the spunky little canine, according to staff members who stop by to give him a little special attention every now and then. It�s also important not to become attached. Even if he lives, Knox said this little dog � along with dozens of other injured strays brought in for treatment � will be sent to Jackson County Animal Control, where they will be adopted or euthanized. John Doe arrived at Roxy Ann late Wednesday night. The dog had been struck by a vehicle on Highway 99 near Beall Lane. Central Point officer Randy Clark took the call about an injured dog in the roadway. Knox said Clark contacted her and arrived at Roxy Ann a short time later, holding a battered and bruised bundle. Clark had wrapped the dog in a first-aid blanket to protect it from the cold night air. "He�s an animal lover," Sgt. Tony McPherson said of Clark. "He�s one of those people who really cares." Central Point police and staff at Roxy Ann have an agreement when it comes to the treatment injured animals, Knox said. Pets are quickly stabilized and made comfortable. "We get a lot of them in here like him," she said, petting the Yorkie. "You see enough of them die on the roadway. There�s enough death out there." But the staff doesn�t offer extra treatment, Knox said, such as repairing the damage in John Doe�s jaw. The odds are stacked against John Doe finding a home, she said. Even if he recovers enough to be adopted, he always will require special care. The small terrier can�t see well, Knox said, unsure if his condition is a result of the accident. He�s also lost his sense of balance and might not regain it. "He would make a wonderful pet for someone who could give him a little extra care," she added. "He loves people and comes to the sound of your voice." The staff at Roxy Ann will keep John Doe for about a week, seeing if he improves or somebody comes forward to claim him. "It�s such a sad thing," she said. "There are so many more out there just like him." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.