PORT ORCHARD, Wash. - Thousands of dollars have been donated to help cover the veterinarian bill for a dog abused in Port Orchard.
"Blazer" disappeared last week, and when 10-year-old Daniel Roller found his dog Tuesday near a Port Orchard elementary school, the dog was in pain.
"It was all puffed out, his paws were spread out, it was all like purple," said Daniel.
The seven-year-old Border Collie had zip-ties tightly tied around both of his left legs. The front paw was OK, but the hind leg could not be saved. The amputation cost $3,000 that the Roller family didn't have.
Fearing the family might have to give up Blazer, Daniel tried selling his video games to the neighbors.
"Because the video games I have are really good like Halo and Crackdown, all the good games," he said.
His mother sold her wedding ring.
"The wedding band doesn't meet me at home every day, waiting for me to come home, doesn't swim with me, it doesn't bark," said Katie Roller.
After the local paper ran a story about Blazer the community got generous, and by 11 a.m. Wednesday, the $3,000 had been donated.
"We heard from Boston, North Carolina, California," said Katie Roller.
"I love dogs. I thought this dog needed help, and the family needs help," said Port Orchard resident Robert Heay.
“It’s just awesome,” said David Roller. “It’s a load off our minds, that he’s going to be OK and the bills will be paid off.”
Late Wednesday, the boy and his dog were reunited, thanks, in part, to strangers.
"I didn't know people would do that for a dog," said Daniel.
Kitsap County's Sheriff's office is investigating the injuries as an animal abuse case.
Pasado’s Safe Haven is offering a $5,000 reward for the “ARREST/PROSECUTION/CONVICTION” of the person responsible for Blazer’s injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-222-8477.
An account has been set up at all Kitsap Bank branches for Blazer's rehab costs. It's under the name: "David T. Roller Donation Account."
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