When a thief stole Christmas gifts from a California yard on Dec. 3, the family’s quiet holiday turned into a harrowing medical crisis for their 2 ½-year-old dog, Sparky.
The Theft
“Emily Moreno, told Nexstar’s KTLA that the police were contacted, but no suspects have been identified.”
Sometime between 1:37 and 1:56 p.m., the thief left the gate open, letting two dogs escape. One dog, Blazer, returned home; Sparky did not.
The Search
Family members searched for more than eight hours that night, knocking on neighbors’ doors and posting alerts online, but found no trace.
The Rescue
At about 3 p.m. on Dec. 5, Sparky’s owner, David Lopez, found the dog in a nearby neighborhood, severely injured and lying in someone’s backyard.
“He spent two days alone in the cold-hurt, starving, dehydrated, and unable to move,” said Krystal Altamirano, who organized a GoFundMe for the situation. “When my boyfriend finally found him, Sparky crawled out from under a structure and rolled onto his side as if begging for help. It was absolutely heartbreaking.”
Veterinarians believe Sparky was struck by a vehicle or trailer and may have been dragged a short distance.
Sparky, an Australian blue heeler known for his high energy and gentle temperament, suffered extensive trauma to one of his back legs. Emily told KTLA that the limb was nearly torn off up to the hip, with exposed bone, torn ligaments and a shattered toe. Despite emergency treatment and attempts to save the leg, the wounds repeatedly reopened. Doctors ultimately determined the leg could not be saved, and Emily says Sparky is now scheduled to undergo a full leg amputation up to the hip.
Photos show Sparky recovering at home wearing a large protective cone, resting on layered towels and absorbent pads. In one image, his injured leg is wrapped and elevated as he lies quietly on a dog bed, his ears alert but his expression subdued. Another photo shows surgical stitches along his hip, with shaved fur and bandaging visible as he lies on his side during recovery. Later images show him resting near a Christmas tree, his injured leg area wrapped in bright green bandaging, while Blazer lies nearby.
The Cost
What started as about $100 worth of stolen packages has now resulted in more than $8,000 in emergency veterinary bills, Emily says, with additional costs expected. Sparky is currently on strict bed rest for several weeks-a difficult adjustment for a dog described by his family as playful, obedient and eager to please.
“He loved car rides, playing fetch, tug-of-war and running around with his brother,” Emily said. “All of this could have been prevented if the gate had simply been closed.”
A GoFundMe has been created to help cover Sparky’s medical expenses and ongoing care. The family says the unexpected financial strain has also made it impossible to buy holiday gifts this year.
“Losing the packages was already painful,” Altamirano wrote in the fundraiser. “But nothing compares to seeing our dog suffering like this and not having the funds to save him.”
Key Takeaways
- Stolen holiday packages led to a dog’s severe injury and $8,000 vet bill.
- The family’s search lasted eight hours before the dog was found after two days.
- A GoFundMe is underway, and the dog will undergo leg amputation.
The incident highlights how a simple act of theft can ripple into a profound tragedy, leaving a family to cope with both emotional and financial hardships.
