Back in 2011, the Labrador/German Shepherd mix puppy and his brother were found in Stellarton with their throats slit, but today, he’s a happy, healthy, full-grown dog.
Owner Baird Best said Loki has no lasting effects from the cruel incident. “He has scars, but no issues,” he said.
Best said while his dog is doing fine, it’s upsetting that he was harmed. “All animals should never be mistreated in that way.”
Loki came to Best and his daughter Serenity, a Grade 6 student at New Glasgow Academy, in a roundabout way.
After the two puppies were found near the entrance of the old Westray railway bridge, they received care at the New Glasgow Veterinary Clinic, where they were put under anesthesia and stitched up. The veterinarian who treated them said they were likely cut with a knife and it wasn’t accidental.
Police tracked down the owner of the mother dog, who said she had given the pups to an unknown man. During their investigation, they identified a person of interest, but Sgt. Paul Pentz of the Stellarton Police said he’s not aware of any charges laid in relation to the case.
The family of the woman who found the two dogs originally kept them, but when she moved out west, she gave Loki to Jana Locke. The Stellarton resident named him Loco because he was found near railroad tracks. Locke had him for about a year, but he grew to be quite large, and her older dog was a bit traumatized by the younger, more active dog.
“I only live in a little house and it got to be too much. I advertised for a home for him and found what I think is the perfect match for him – a single dad with a big truck and a camp,” said Locke.
“He is a great dog,” she said, adding that she’s happy he’s in a loving home.
When he came to live with the Bests, they nicknamed him Loki, and say he’s an “amazing pet and companion.”
At the time, Best had an older dog that recently passed away, and he wanted to get a new pet for his daughter’s birthday. “When I heard the story, we couldn’t turn him down. We were sold. Once we heard the story, we didn’t want to get any other.”
He said Serenity loves her dog. “It’s definitely made her a lot happier. She has to look after him and take care of him. He’s her buddy.”
Locke said the dog was the more seriously injured of the two puppies, with his throat actually hanging out. “He was stitched from one side of his neck to the other and was still full of energy.”
It’s unknown where Loki’s brother currently lives.