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Service dog attacked; Owner needs help with needed surgery

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Updated: 9/01/2011 1:45 am | Published: 8/31/2011 10:55 pm

Reported by: Kylie Conway

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – A service dog needs help after she was viciously attacked by two pit bulls. Buffy’s owner is nearly blind and is now at his wits-end trying to find a way to pay for a necessary surgery to fix her broken hip.

The attack happened last Tuesday on South Main and 1300 S where Zoran Maunaga attends school at the Horizonte Instruction and Training Center.

“Three other people were bit trying to get the dogs apart. The dogs were loose and off the leash when they attacked,” said Maunaga’s friend Carolyn Howe.

Maunaga came to American thirteen years ago as a Bosnian refugee. He has a prosthetic left eye and relies on his service dog Buffy to get around.

“That always amazes me. You know, if he's at my house he knows the layout it's not a problem. But, when it's some place different he doesn't know where he's going,” said Howe.

A police report shows that the two pit bulls have attacked before.

“But, it sounds to me that they should have been confiscated. Well, if they killed another dog last year,” said Howe.

Maunaga is living on disability and can’t afford to pay the $970 for Buffy’s emergency care plus an additional $2,500 for the surgery to fix her hip. The veterinarian told Maunaga if Buffy doesn’t get the surgery soon it will leave her disabled.

Maunaga had to turn down an expense-paid trip back home to see friends and family because of the attack.

“His friend was taking him back to his country to see his mother to see his whole family and when this happened they told him that she couldn't go,” said Howe.

It’s been four years since Maunaga saw his mother. Now it will be longer as he fights to save his best friend.

The pit bulls were found and euthanized.

If you’d like to help contact Advanced Veterinary Care during normal business hours and explain how you’d like to help Buffy.

Advanced Veterinary Care
1021 East 3300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801-942-3951

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of ABC4

DeLilly - 9/3/2011 1:03 PM

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Advanced Vet Care is donating the surgery which will be done tomorrow...and the money collected is going to Buffey's owner's trip to see his Mom....AVC said the public was amazing in their donations....Advanced Vet Care should be commended for this wonderful gift...as should all the caring public....Lets pray Buffey has a speedy and complete recovery....And a special prayer for Buffey's owner.

jpetrie - 9/1/2011 4:03 PM

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I KNOW HIM AND BUFFY! I am soooo torn up over this story. She is the best dog ever! I am going to spread the word and get them some help!

Darrellfordogs - 9/1/2011 2:39 PM

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I just called Advanced vet care to donate & they told me that they are calling the owner to schedule the surgery. But they still need donations so please lets get this story out to all of our friends.This is such a sad story, we don't want buffy to suffer any longer. this story just tore at my heart. this is a time that we need to give so that Buffy can get back on her feet. I know that Advanced vet care is a wonderful vet hospital & they will get Buffy back on her feet & back at doing the service work she was trained for.

Francie801 - 9/1/2011 2:36 PM

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I cabt believe that any Veterinarian would allow this dog to suffer. Especially in respect to the service this dog provides. The "Right" thing to do would be to just do the surgery-then ask the publc to donate to defer the costs incurred by the animal hospital. I along with hundreds, if not thousands of other folks are happy to donate to help a cause like this. I know veterinary services cost money and there are many people who would take advantage of a compassionate vet-but the facts support this case and I'm saddened that Advanced would allow this animal to suffer in leui of funds. I also think that the owners of the Pit Bulls should be held accountable at the very least. Especially since this was not the first attack by them. Dogs are not born to be vicious-they are trained or the lack of training entices them into their behaviors. Maynbe the owners of the Pits should be subject to euthanasia as well.

CornHusker - 9/1/2011 2:22 PM

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I can't believe that a Dr. who studied hard and entered a profession based on helping animals will turn this into a money-money game by withholding needed medical care for a Service Dog that was attacked. That says much about you as a human and your committment to Veterinary Ethical Standards. Think about the positive press for your practice as a caring Veterinarian donating your skill and expertise in this case to help this dog and this dog's owner. Please donate your time and talent.... allow the owner to make small payments or work off the bill. Roxie ... who adopted Sara in SLC who became my Service Dog for 13 years of faithful and loyal work.

suzannege - 9/1/2011 12:38 PM

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I will just add one more thing to my earlier post, I will of course donate to help Buffy as previously stated, but I ask all Vets out there, certainly you entered the profession out of your love for and desire to help animals. Please don't let this be about money, show some compassion, donate your services and repair Buffy's leg out of the goodness of your heart. This dog should NOT have to suffer one day longer.

runnerjeff - 9/1/2011 11:59 AM

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I agree with the need to act fast to help the service dog and owner, via help from vets, friends, strangers. The owner of the pit bulls should eventually be arrested, convicted, and forced to pay 100% of costs. In addition he/she should pay for pain and suffering for the dog and human victims, big time! Plus perhaps a few hundred hours of community service educating other dangerous dog owners, telling his story of neglect and stupidity.

AuntieBee - 9/1/2011 11:41 AM

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I agree with the other posters-- this dog should have been given the care it needs immediately! The bill can be argued over later. I would take the dog to another vet who will do it now regardless of the money situation... a vet who obviously cares more about animals than the money-grubbers at Advanced Veterinary Care. It's a SERVICE DOG for h3ll's sake! Grow some charity!

sylvie66 - 9/1/2011 11:02 AM

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I am saddened to think that this poor dog has a broken hip and in pain since last week and the Vet doesn't have the heart to fix this poor animal and set up some kind of payments with the man. I can only imagine what the pain feels like for her and the emotional being of the owner.I totally agree with suzannege as far as the dog owners being responsible. But, in the mean time this poor dog suffers? Maybe the owner should call other vets and see what they can do for him. I would hope that ABC 4 News follows upon this and updates the viewers on the outcome. In the meantime I will be one to donate to help this innocent service dog so she doesn't have to suffer! I don't have alot of money but will give what I can. If all the viewers out there saw this and donated a little I bet we could all pull together and get her fixed and stop her pain.

EMMITTA - 9/1/2011 9:20 AM

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these service dog are a life line for there clints. i would think that the vets could wave the cost and give there services to help this dog. i weork with a group of people that use service dog. there is a hi price paid for a dog it is his eye and ers for the blind. may be aspca could help with the cost.

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