Dog protected abandoned newborn, doctors say ("She took it like a puppy and rescued it")

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Dog protected abandoned newborn, doctors say

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/08/22/argentina.dog.tale/index.html



(CNN) -- A dog sheltered a newborn baby abandoned by its 14-year-old mother in a field in rural Argentina until the boy was rescued, a doctor said Friday.

A resident of a rural area outside La Plata called police late Wednesday night to say that he had heard the baby crying in a field behind his house.

The man went outside and found the infant lying beside the dog and its six newborn puppies, Daniel Salcedo, chief of police of the Province of Buenos Aires, told CNN.

The temperature was a chilly 37 degrees, Salcedo said.

The dog had apparently carried the baby some 50 meters from where his mother had abandoned him to where the puppies were huddled, police said.

"She took it like a puppy and rescued it," Salcedo said. "The doctors told us if she hadn't done this, he would have died."

"The dog is a hero to us."

Dr. Egidio Melia, director of the Melchor Romero Hospital in La Plata, told CNN that police showed up at the hospital at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday with the baby who doctors say was only a few hours old.

Though the infant had superficial scratches and bruises and was bleeding from his mouth, he was in good shape, Melia said.

The next morning, the child's mother was driven by a neighbor to the hospital and told authorities the 8 pound, 13 ounce infant is hers, Melia said.

The teenager was immediately given psychological treatment and was hospitalized, he said. She has said little about the incident.

The child has been transferred to a children's hospital in La Plata, 37 miles from Buenos Aires.

[flvegan]

1. So what happened to mama dog and her puppies?

I hope some kind soul/organization will take them in and find them homes.

Good job on mama, though.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. This article suggests that the dog lives on a farm

Farmer Fabio Anze found the naked baby girl on Thursday, being kept warm among his dog China's puppies, La Nacion newspaper said. Anze called the police and the baby was taken to a hospital.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080822/wl_nm/argentina_dog_dc_3

[Runcible Spoon]

4. don't worry, Argentinians just adore dogs in general.

I've seen tons of strays but the vast majority of them are well-fed and very friendly. Usually the homeless guys keep them around. I would say this is one of the best countries in the world for dogs, except they have this whole machismo thing about not castrating the males. :eyes: Drives me up the wall.

[old mark]

3. A lot of times I feel that dogs are better beings

than we are.

This is one of those times.

Recommended.

mark

[BlueIris]

6. Totally! My dog, Hobbs, is the best. 99% of the people I know are...just not as cool as Hobbs. nt

[Flaxbee]

5. what a good girl! I hope China and her pups

have a safe, warm home forever... (I wish all dogs/cats/creatures did)

[Truthiness Inspector]

9. Ditto on all of that n/t

[XemaSab]

7. OMG! That dog looks just like Pippi!

:o

[leeroysphitz]

8. Now lets see a cat do THAT.

:popcorn: :evilgrin: