By Leigh Ann Rutledge
Accent Editor
July 1, 2008

AFTER SURGERY.  Shirl Berry, Carroll County animal cruelty investigator, holds Lucy after her surgery to repair her broken leg.  Lucy’s leg is wrapped in a black half cast.

Lucy, a four-month old beagle, is a lucky little girl.

Lucy lives with Ron and Marilyn Walker on Kensington Rd. near the Carroll-Columbiana County line.  Lucy wandered to the end of the driveway June 15 and was hit by a pick up truck.  The Walkers took her to the Stark County emergency animal clinic where she had x-rays taken, was given medication and a splint.  Monday morning, Lucy was taken to the family veterinarian in Minerva.  Due to the extent of the injuries, he was unable to perform her surgery. 

Being on a fixed income, Ron said, "We knew we weren't able to afford an orthopedic surgery. Our vet told us he would contact the Carroll County Humane Society to see if they could offer assistance.  The Humane Society called back, saying they would help with the surgery and now Lucy is doing good."

The veterinarian who performed Lucy's surgery practices orthopedic surgery in a clinic in Canton.  Shirl Berry, animal cruelty investigator, has worked with this veterinarian before, mostly through the society's spaying and neutering program, but also under special circumstances, such as Lucy.

The doctor, who prefers to remain anonymous, said, "This is one of the toughest surgeries I have done in quite awhile."  Lucy had a bad growth plate fracture of the long bone (femur bone) coming from the hip.  The bones had to be realigned and a pin put in to allow the bone to heal.  Since Lucy was not operated on until Wednesday, the muscles had to be stretched to get the bones properly aligned.  The doctor explained when an injury like this occurs the muscles contract and pull off the other bones resulting in having to stretch the muscles in order to align the bones.  Once he viewed the break, the doctor also found another small fracture that required a pin.  The surgery took over an hour to perform.

The doctor stated, "Once the bones are reattached, they will rapidly grow together.  As young as she is, she will heal very fast.  She will not have a perfect knee but she will walk and be pain free." 

Berry is quick to note The Humane Society has a very good rapport with all the veterinarians in the area.  They assist the society with the rabies clinics and in emergency situations.  Berry said, "We do not use a gas chamber to euthanize any animals.  If we have a sick or injured animal, it is taken to the vet for evaluation.  The vet makes a professional decision whether to put the animal down or not." 

Lucy's leg was bandaged using "barber poling" so as not to cut off circulation and she was fitted with a half cast, which will be removed in three weeks.  After six weeks, the pins will be removed and Lucy will be spayed. 

The veterinarian who performed the surgery resided in Stark County at one time and said he is amazed at what the Carroll County Humane Society does in taking care of animals.  "The hardest thing I see is the thankless part, that the public doesn't realize or see what all the society does," he stated. 

Berry has been in her position for over 10 years.  "A friend of mine recommended me for the job because I just love animals," she said and says she works well with the society's board of directors.  Berry and Nancy McMillen, a 15 year- member and current president of the society, volunteer their time to help with the surgeries.  They pick the animals up before surgery and take them home afterwards, do clean up and anything else that is needed.  The doctor noted it is a "heck of an effort and most people are not that dedicated."

The mission of the society is to monitor the health and care of small and large animals within Carroll County by investigating cases of inhumane treatment of animals and to advise and correct the situation and prosecute, if necessary.  The society feels the current animal population problem could be helped by their spaying and neutering program and    no one is turned down by the spay/neuter program for financial reasons. 

Berry said the downturn in the economy has resulted in a lot of animals being abandoned in homes when residents are forced to leave.  She works with neighbors and friends to adopt out the animals. 

The society sponsors fundraisers and holds bingo the second and fourth Monday to raise funds to help with situations such as Lucy's.  Anyone wishing to help with expense of Lucy's surgery or other expenses can send a donation to Carroll County Humane Society, PO Box 234, Malvern, 44644.

Ron reports, a week after her surgery, Lucy is doing good.  "We were wanting a dog for awhile and a friend gave Lucy to us.  I have never been attached to a dog like I am to her.  She was originally supposed to be my wife's dog but she has attached herself to me," She follows Ron around "like his shadow" even going for rides with him. 

"We are just so appreciative for what the Humane Society has done for us.  We are so thankful she's coming along so well," he continued.  He chuckles, "Marilyn jokes I think more of Lucy than I do of her."