A Riverina greyhound lover has recounted the chilling moments she seized a 10-year-old canine from an abusive foster carer in Wagga.
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Formerly successful racing trainer Lianne Cook said she was shocked to find the previously healthy and happy dog Liza in an emaciated state and covered in fleas – less than six-weeks after she was placed in care.
During her life-saving surgery at Kooringal Clinic, vets stitched a crater-like infected wound on Liza’s back.
The procedure cost her rescuer hundreds of dollars.
Despite the ordeal, Ms Cook has since praised the other trainers and dog lovers who rallied to give their support and to help the “abused” pooch.
In a show of kindness, donations through gofundme have almost covered the vet bill that saved the Liza and Ms Cook has since claimed the dog her own.
Ms Cook said the generosity of neighbours and strangers was an example of how good people could band together for a cause.
She said within 12 hours, the small campaign had raised $480 – $80 above the finance goal.
Four-days later, Ms Cook said she had received more than $650, which was just shy of the total vet-bill amount.
Ms Cook’s said her mother, who was unwell, had asked for a foster carer to take Liza in January.
At her mother’s request, Ms Cook advertised for a carer on Facebook, where she met the woman who offered to look after Liza.
“I am still upset about what this woman – purporting to be a rescuer – has done to Liza and other greyhounds in her care,” Ms Cook said.
“It’s unbelievable.”
Almost one month after dropping Liza off at her temporary home, the “fat, roly-poly, 30-kilogram girl” was skin and bone.
“She was always hard to get weight off,” Ms Cook said.
“She would gain a kilogram at the smell of food.”
Ms Cook said her story was part of an underlying issue.
She said it was sometimes what happened when unregistered rescue groups took greyhounds they couldn’t afford into their care.
“Liza had a happy home with her trainer owner until he died last year,” she said.
“Perhaps she can now be the face of how industry bodies can change and legislate the way rescue and foster groups operate so this doesn’t happen again.”