KANSAS CITY — Making his first public appearance recently, Roadrunner, an abused dog rescued in November, ventured into the public eye after undergoing a series of surgeries to remove both of his eyes, repair his broken pelvis and be neutered. He stepped out for the media at the city’s animal shelter. He is staying with a foster family as he adjusts and recovers.
The shelter took advantage of nice weather to share an update on his recovery.
“We were introducing Roadrunner to media because up until now we have only been able to share stories and pictures with the media,” said Tori Fugute, manager of marketing and development for Kansas City Pet Project, which runs the city’s animal shelter.
“We wanted to show how well he is doing and show how his recovery has just been amazing,” she said. “He is just doing great.”
Roadrunner, who is believed to be a small brown Tibetan spaniel, was severely injured when he was allegedly thrown from a third-floor balcony of an apartment building in November.
“He’s doing great,” Fugate said. “He is adjusting very, very well. He gets along great with the two other dogs in his foster home. He loves playing with them, and he loves playing with toys.”
He loves treats, too.
“He’s just acting like a normal dog,” Fugate said. “He is very cautious when he moves around and walks around in case he bumps into something. But if he bumps into it, he corrects himself.”
Donations have covered his medical care, as well as care for other cats and dogs that come into the shelter and need extensive medical treatment, she said.
Roadrunner’s former owner, a 36-year-old woman, has been charged with animal abuse, a felony, and animal abandonment, a misdemeanor.
According to court documents, a witness told police she threw the 12-pound dog from the balcony.
The witness also alleged that the owner wrapped a leash around the dog’s neck, picked him up and slammed him to the ground. She allegedly choked the dog a second time and then kicked him, leaving him outside.
She was initially being held in the Jackson County jail on $10,000 bond.
For now, Roadrunner will continue to stay in a foster home.
“We are hoping to make an announcement soon about his future and what is going to happen,” Fugate said. “He has been medically cleared now.”
She said there has a lot of interest in him from all over the United States.
“We have a lot of other pets that can be adopted,” Fugate said.
