Help for Hugo

Hugo the Cavapoo is fighting for his sweet little life at Coastways Emergency Animal Hospital after he and his owner, our friend Louise, were savagedly attacked in an unprovoked dog attack last Wednesday 4th Jan on a quiet residential street in Kemp Town.

Just after 8am on that Wednesday morning, Louise and her dog were out on a regular walk after having dropped her daughter off to school. Hugo was on a short lead, playfully enjoying his morning sniffs, wagging his tail delightfully as he usually does.

Walking along Eastern Road, Louise decided to turn down onto Eaton Place off the main road. Soon after turning into the quiet road, she spotted a very large and unpleasant looking dog sitting on the pavement as far as 60-70 metres away. Uncomfortable with what was waiting further down the road, she turned to cross to the other side of the road where there was another dog awaiting. This other dog was identical to the one sat further away, only different in colouring and every so slightly smaller. Neither of the two dogs were on a leash, neither of the dogs were muzzled and both dogs were unattended with no owner(s) in site.

Very quickly, the two American XL Bully dogs locked eyes on each other and within seconds ran to pounce on Hugo. Louise had no time to prevent it from happening; the attack started unbelievably quickly and the dogs ran towards she and Hugo at huge speed.

There then ensued a savage and vicious attack whereby Hugo was mauled to bits for a prolonged period of 7-9 minutes. The dogs would not release him, even when Hugo appeared lifeless. Louise did try to help but when she down to rescue Hugo, she too was attacked by one of the dogs who took a large bite into her left wrist.

It was not until many brave members of the public had intervened that Hugo was tossed up into the air and dropped in the road as dead. Louise had fainted due to the shock of her bite (and likely the shock of the situation) but when she came round, she was told that her dog had been killed.

It wasn't until 08:14 that a witness who was cradling Hugo noted that he was breathing. He and another witness rushed Hugo to nearby Coastways whilst Louise was taken to hospital for her sustained injuries.

Sadly, six day post attack, Louise and her partner Andrew, still do not know if Hugo will survive his horrific mauling.

When Hugo arrived at Coastways early on Wednesday morning, the vet had to immediately stabalise him. Life saving surgery could not commence until much later that afternoon before it was clear that Hugo was stable enough to survive the anaesthetic. He was then operated on for approximately 6 hours and that he had made it through the surgery was not news received by his owners until around 23:00 that evening.

Injuries sustained by Hugo include flesh tears over his neck, his back and his abdomen; bite marks all over his body; puncture wounds on his rear legs, his abdomen and his back. There are further bite marks over his head as well as around his eyes, and he is bruised all over. Hugo has two IV's attached to him, one pumping him full of antibiotics and the other pumping him with strong pain killers. He also has drains inserted into him in three separate areas , each one serving to remove blood, pus and other fluid in order to prevent it from accumulating in the body.

Hugo in himself is very, very weary, extremely tired and very cautious during visits. He has enjoyed the company of his _pawrents_ and other close friends being there in the room with him but he has been timid and clearly in a lot of pain.

As it stands to date vet fees covered so far have come in at £4448.00.

After what was a very positive visit with Hugo during the late afternoon of Monday 9th Jan where he was more upbeat and where Louise & Andrew were even allowed to take him for a very happy, short walk outside in the vet gardens, they were told that there was sadly quite a big set back.

Whilst Hugo had survived the life saving surgery, he had now developed two infections, one of which is very, very serious. The vets made it clear that they're still not through the worse and that this "is a very long journey ahead."

Surgery on the 10th Jan will re-open the neck wound in order to dig out the infection that has created a lethal open hole full of pus. The hole has formed as a result of dead tissue in the neck area which Hugo's body has rejected. This hole HAS to close up before Hugo can get better and come home.

The second infected area is one of the puncture wounds on his abdomen; this is being treated with strong antibiotics.

Vet fees are becoming hard to pay now; there is the cost of all of the phenomenal treatment that Hugo's receiving plus the cost of him being in the vets full time.

Louise and Andrew are hugely distressed at the thought of not being able to pay these bills. They desperately would love treatment to continue on their beloved Hugo who has come so far since being attacked so viciously that even the vets cannot believe he survived.

Coastway’s have kindly sent a email as they have had a influx of phone calls regarding members of the public wishing to help with the vet fees for Hugo, and we are now at a time we do need some help.

This email left Louise and Andrew extremely touched. And they have called Coastways and they confirmed that they had received many calls asking how people can help out. I'm lost for words at the kindness of strangers.... We are hoping that this community powered, fund raising platform will help raise just enough to cover Hugo's increasing treatment fees. Louise and Andrew have covered the vet fees up until now but Hugo still needs a lot more treatment and the costs are significant. If you would like to make a donation, however small, every little will help. From the bottom of our hearts we would be extremely grateful for even just a share. thank you so much Hugo’s dog groomer Kaya and Hugo’s dog Walker Libby ❤️