Brutus Hershman's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
Brutus joined my family not too long ago. He was rescued from the shelter by a home who quickly realized they couldn't give him the time or attention he deserved, and that's when he became my new best friend. He was born Christmas day in 2014. He's 18 months old, and the most affectionate, goofy dog I've ever known. He's an English Bull Terrier, and I call him Brutus the Bully, or Brute for short. He's a total bed hog. But most of all, He's a part of my family.
His story was covered by Karen Morfitt on CBS4 News. If anyone has any information that can help lead law enforcement to the driver, please contact the Aurora Police Department (Case #16-22769). You will be able to maintain anonymity if you like. Thanks!
I'm so lucky to have him in my life. At 6:15 PM Tuesday night I pulled up to my house after meeting with a trainer. He is a registered service animal that has provided me more help than I could ask for. I was parked alongside my street and practicing some basic obedience with him near my driveway/next to my car. I see a full size truck approaching fast, hugging the side of the road. I try to signal him and yelled to get his attention "Hey watch out!" At this point he accelerated and veered towards me. He was either trying to hit me or scare me, either way, it was 100% intentional. I pushed my back tightly against my car, and pulled Brutus who was on an extremely short leash as close as I could to me. The trucks side mirror came inches from hitting my face, he was going over 55 mph through my neighborhood.
I managed to get Brutus close enough to me to avoid a direct impact, but his hind leg was clipped. I was hysteric, yelling, and crying. There were 4 witnesses other than myself, but no one saw the plate. The driver continued accelerating through the impact and rushed away from the scene. Brutus with what adrenaline he had limped to the neighbors porch to hide. I ran as fast as I could in total shock, I picked him up and loaded him into my car, which is still stained with his blood. Within 8 minutes I had him at VCA Alameda East veteraniary hospital. He was rushed into the ICU and put into an oxygen chamber. X-rays would reveal a fractured femur, into multiple segments. He was in immense discomfort, and put into the oxygen tank. He experienced respiratory distress and lung contusions. The people at Alameda East were great, and kept him on Fentanyl and Methadone to deal with the immense pain caused by this lunatic. I'm so thankful we were not both killed, as this could have easily been much worse, I would have gladly taken the hit instead of him, and did everything I could to protect us both. The vets said if I had not pulled him out of the way, he would have surely died. I'm so happy he's still alive.
I've been to visit him over 10 times, and have hardly been able to eat or sleep these past 2 days. It's been draining on everyone in my family. Emotionally, financially, mentally, It's been an uphill battle. At the time of writing this he is in surgery with a great Orthopedic Surgeon, Diana Davila. I'm still waiting for the call to see how everything went. He has a good prognosis, but there's still a chance he could loose the leg if it is not a success. This was no small fracture, and he is having a pin, wires, boneplate, and screws implanted to try to save his leg. I'm glued to my phone waiting for the call to see if it was a success. So far, I've gone in debt over $5,000 to get him to where he is, and many more bills are expected. I had to choose, remove his leg, euthanize him, or try to save my best friend. What else could I do?
Any help would would go directly towards Brutus, his medical care, prescriptions, and rehabilitation, if any excess were to be raised, It would go into his training, and care. Hopefully my best friend and I will be together for many more years, playing lots of fetch, spending time at dog parks, and hiking his favorite places. Any support or information would be such a huge help to us during this time. I just want my little man to be okay, and to be happy and healthy again. Thank you all so much.
This Saturday he was going to be going to the Mile High Bull Terrier Club and Rescue walk at Addenbrooke Park.
I'll be updating this page all along the journey, and keep everyone posted on his recovery. Hopefully he will be able to attend next year.
His story was covered by Karen Morfitt on CBS4 News. If anyone has any information that can help lead law enforcement to the driver, please contact the Aurora Police Department (Case #16-22769). You will be able to maintain anonymity if you like. Thanks!
I'm so lucky to have him in my life. At 6:15 PM Tuesday night I pulled up to my house after meeting with a trainer. He is a registered service animal that has provided me more help than I could ask for. I was parked alongside my street and practicing some basic obedience with him near my driveway/next to my car. I see a full size truck approaching fast, hugging the side of the road. I try to signal him and yelled to get his attention "Hey watch out!" At this point he accelerated and veered towards me. He was either trying to hit me or scare me, either way, it was 100% intentional. I pushed my back tightly against my car, and pulled Brutus who was on an extremely short leash as close as I could to me. The trucks side mirror came inches from hitting my face, he was going over 55 mph through my neighborhood.
I managed to get Brutus close enough to me to avoid a direct impact, but his hind leg was clipped. I was hysteric, yelling, and crying. There were 4 witnesses other than myself, but no one saw the plate. The driver continued accelerating through the impact and rushed away from the scene. Brutus with what adrenaline he had limped to the neighbors porch to hide. I ran as fast as I could in total shock, I picked him up and loaded him into my car, which is still stained with his blood. Within 8 minutes I had him at VCA Alameda East veteraniary hospital. He was rushed into the ICU and put into an oxygen chamber. X-rays would reveal a fractured femur, into multiple segments. He was in immense discomfort, and put into the oxygen tank. He experienced respiratory distress and lung contusions. The people at Alameda East were great, and kept him on Fentanyl and Methadone to deal with the immense pain caused by this lunatic. I'm so thankful we were not both killed, as this could have easily been much worse, I would have gladly taken the hit instead of him, and did everything I could to protect us both. The vets said if I had not pulled him out of the way, he would have surely died. I'm so happy he's still alive.
I've been to visit him over 10 times, and have hardly been able to eat or sleep these past 2 days. It's been draining on everyone in my family. Emotionally, financially, mentally, It's been an uphill battle. At the time of writing this he is in surgery with a great Orthopedic Surgeon, Diana Davila. I'm still waiting for the call to see how everything went. He has a good prognosis, but there's still a chance he could loose the leg if it is not a success. This was no small fracture, and he is having a pin, wires, boneplate, and screws implanted to try to save his leg. I'm glued to my phone waiting for the call to see if it was a success. So far, I've gone in debt over $5,000 to get him to where he is, and many more bills are expected. I had to choose, remove his leg, euthanize him, or try to save my best friend. What else could I do?
Any help would would go directly towards Brutus, his medical care, prescriptions, and rehabilitation, if any excess were to be raised, It would go into his training, and care. Hopefully my best friend and I will be together for many more years, playing lots of fetch, spending time at dog parks, and hiking his favorite places. Any support or information would be such a huge help to us during this time. I just want my little man to be okay, and to be happy and healthy again. Thank you all so much.
This Saturday he was going to be going to the Mile High Bull Terrier Club and Rescue walk at Addenbrooke Park.
I'll be updating this page all along the journey, and keep everyone posted on his recovery. Hopefully he will be able to attend next year.
Organizer
Eric Hershman
Organizer
Aurora, CO
