HOLLYWOOD, FL (WSVN/CNN) – A pit bull mix, who was found shoved in a suitcase and dumped in an alley, died Thursday night due to injuries sustained from multiple stabbings and beatings.
The passersby who first found the 2-year-old dog, named Oliver or Ollie by a rescue group, called 911 early Tuesday to report a dog’s paw sticking out of a suitcase.
"He wasn't making any type of sound. It just moved once I stood the suitcase up, and then that's when my girlfriend shined the light on the bottom of the suitcase and we saw a paw. I mean, it just shows me how terrible this world can be, how cruel people can be,” one passerby said.
The dog was rushed to the animal hospital, where he had multiple surgeries. Veterinarians say he had sustained 20 or 30 stab wounds.
But even after all he’d been through, Ollie still wagged his tail at the hospital, where he was surrounded by doting staff and donated toys.
Grateful Paws Pet Rescue, the rescue group that named him, raised more than $40,000 for his care.
"People from all over were interested in either fostering or adopting or both. It's just been unbelievable,” said Jan Milbyer with the rescue group.
Doctors were hopeful Ollie would pull through after two successful procedures, but Thursday, his health took a turn for the worse.
“Throughout the day, he kind of slowly began to deteriorate. His body just basically shut down,” Dr. Nicole Patterson said.
Ollie died Thursday night after doctors tried CPR and other efforts for more than an hour.
"We just couldn't stop crying. We weren't expecting it,” Milbyer said.
Any leftover money donated for Ollie’s medical bills will be given to rescue groups to care for other animals.
"The only redeeming thing is that he didn't die alone. He could've died in that suitcase, but he didn't. So, he didn't die alone,” Milbyer said.
Police continue to investigate, searching for the person(s) responsible for attacking Ollie.
Copyright 2017 WSVN, Hollywood Police Department via CNN. All rights reserved.
