Dog shot, dragged by car needs surgery

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - A dog struck and dragged by a car requires a surgery too expensive for the SPCA Suncoast to afford.

Officials say several similar cases limited funds available for an operation estimated at $5,000.

The dog, workers named Niko, suffered fractured vertebrae, and x-rays revealed two bullets lodged in his body.

A social media follower reached out to the Pasco County chapter after seeing a Facebook post about the dog hurt in Hernando County.

The SPCA Suncoast sent messages asking for help, and a donor responded with $2,000, enough for them to halt plans to put Niko to rest last week.

It gave them hope, but they still need $3,000 to go through with the surgery Niko needs. The SPCA Suncoast started a GoFundMe account to raise the balance and had hit their goal by mid-morning.

If you would like to donate, click here to visit the Niko's Redemption GoFundMe page.