Dog Survives 75-Foot Fall From I-275 Overpass But Loses Leg, Puppies

PALM HARBOR, FL — She was scared, pregnant and running down busy Interstate 275 around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Good Samaritans were chasing the stray dog, trying to catch her before she got hit by a car.

But Moxie didn't know that. She was frightened and confused. The more people chased her, the faster she ran.

Fearing these strangers were trying to hurt her and desperate to get away, she jumped off the I-275 overpass, falling about 25 feet to the ground below.

It was a fall that would have killed most dogs, and it nearly killed Moxie, a 53-pound mixed breed estimated to be about 3 years old. The impact shattered her left rear leg, fractured her left front shoulder, caused internal bleeding and killed the puppies she carried.

The veterinary staff at Pinellas County Animal Services performed an emergency C-section to remove the dead puppies and stop the internal bleeding.

But it was obvious the dog they named Moxie, due to her determination and courage, was going to need a lot more care than the busy county agency could provide. The medical staff reached out to the nonprofit Suncoast Animal League in Palm Harbor for help.

Suncoast Animal League Co-Founder and Executive Director Rick Chaboudy has never been able to turn down an animal in need. This time was no different.

He promptly retrieved Moxie from Pinellas County Animal Services and took her to Paws and Claws Animal Medical Center for further treatment.

After putting Moxie through a battery of tests, the vets at Paws and Claws were forced to make a tough decision. The fall from the overpass shattered Moxie's left hip. X-rays clearly showed it was a fracture that could not be set and would never heal.

Around noon Thursday, Moxie underwent surgery to have her left rear leg removed.

The good news is the surgery to stop the internal bleeding was successful and Moxie's broken shoulder will eventually heal.

Although he's witnessed other animals recover from seemingly fatal injuries and unimaginable acts of cruelty, Chaboudy said he couldn't help but be impressed by Moxie's spunk.

"Keep this brave little girl in your thoughts," he said. "She has been through a lot over the past couple of days and has shown a lot of, well, Moxie."

The staff at Pinellas County Animal Services who initially cared for the runaway dog was equally amazed by her will to live.

"I could tell when they wheeled her out to my vehicle that they had become very attached to her," Chaboudy said. "We want to thank Pinellas County Animal Service for their life-saving efforts on Moxie's behalf."

Even after Moxie has healed, she'll require a great deal of care and rehabilitation.

Anyone wishing to help support Moxie on her road to recovery can make a donation for her care by clicking here.