Humane society seeks donations for dog left in middle of road

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

The Massachusetts Humane Society is looking for donations to care for a dog that was deliberately left in the middle of Route 53 in Weymouth by its previous owner earlier this month.

Bridget, believed to be a mix of beagle and basset hound, was saved by a person who had witnessed a car pull over on the usually busy road around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. The bystander saw a passenger in the vehicle leave the canine in the middle of the street before driving away. Luckily for Bridget, many cars managed to pass her while the bystander went into the road and helped move her to safety.

Joanne Mainiero, president of the humane society, arrived shortly afterwards to collect the dog. Mainiero released the dog to the city’s dog officer, but after 10 days, she was given back to the society’s shelter in Weymouth, Mainiero said.

“She’s a very happy-go-lucky dog after what she’s been through,” Mainiero said. “It was a cruel ... act that was done to her.”

Mainiero estimated that Bridget is about 10 years old and said she has medical issues, which may be the reason her owners could no longer take care of her. She said it is “unbelievable” how often people abandon their pets because they no longer want them or can take care of them.

“We try to enforce responsibility and to see what we can do to help you keep your animal,” Mainiero said. “Shelters are on such a low budget, so we do the best we can and take in the most animals we can, but we could do more if we had more.”

At the shelter, they have cleaned Bridget and put her on a diet to lose some extra weight. They expect to take her to a veterinarian next week to look into a very large tumor on one of her back legs and bring her vaccinations up to date.

Because the shelter is a private organization, they receive no funding from the town or state for their work in treating abandoned animals. They are trying to raise funds for Bridget’s medical needs.

“No amount is too small,” Mainiero said. “We have to get her medical needs up to date and figure out what she needs for that tumor. We’ll also have to start looking for a foster care home for her.”

Those looking to help Bridget can donate at the Mass. Humane Society’s website or mail a check with Bridget’s name in the memo line to P.O. Box 890127, East Weymouth, MA 02189.