Puppy dragged by truck

Photo: Facebook

A puppy is recovering in loving arms after it was allegedly seen being dragged behind a truck in Oliver.

According to several social media sources, three women were wine tasting in Oliver when they witnessed a two-month-old Australian cattle dog pup being dragged.

The women claim the dog was wearing a tight cat collar and was dragged by a rope behind the vehicle while it stumbled and struggled to keep up.

“All of his paws were dripping blood, and he was in terrible shape,” Anne Parkison wrote on behalf of the rescuers in a statement posted on the Facebook page Kelowna/Okanagan Lost And Found Pets.

The rescuers are staying anonymous for fear of repercussions from the dog's owner.

When they saw the hurt puppy, they felt they had to act, and pulled their car in front of the truck to stop it. One of the rescuers jumped out, grabbed the dog, argued with the owner and rushed the dog to veterinary care.

South Valley Veterinary Clinic in Osoyoos took the puppy in.

While the clinic is not commenting to the media, several reports on Facebook indicate the vet was angered by the condition of the pup.

The vet told another Facebook page, Stolen and missing dogs of the Okanagan, that the pads of its paws were badly worn down, and its dew claws were so badly ripped they may need to be surgically removed.

The truck driver apparently called the veterinary hospital, demanding to know where the dog was, but the clinic refused to answer, saying only that would be recommending animal abuse charges.

It's not the pup's only brush with social media attention – a friend of the owner posted a photo and message claiming the dog had been stolen.

“Three females in a newer silver SUV, one of which is blonde with a purple dress, basically attacked my fiancé's auntie in front of her children and stole this puppy. If anyone sees a vehicle with this description ... please get a plate number and contact me ASAP. Absolutely appalling someone would do this, especially in front of children,” reads the original post.

The three rescuing women were initially attacked online, but in short order their side of the story came to light. They are now being called heroes by both the Kelowna/Okanagan Lost And Found Pets page and the Stolen and missing dogs of the Okanagan page.

As for the puppy, it has been named Vino and was adopted by one of its rescuers. Vino is recovering and doing well.