Puppy hit by car in Cedar Rapids is on the mend after hip, head injuries

CEDAR RAPIDS — The sight of Caesar, a Labrador-pit bull mix, “enraged” morning commuters, not because of the puppy’s actions but for what a driver did to him.

The 9-month-old puppy was in the roadway on First Avenue NE, between 18th and 19th streets, on April 18 when he was struck by a vehicle and the driver never stopped, Jan Erceg, founder and medical coordinator for nonprofit Critter Crusaders, said.

Caesar was then grabbed by his severely injured legs and thrown onto the curb by two nearby utility workers, Erceg said. The workers didn’t bother getting help for the unconscious puppy, they only wanted to get him out of their way, which enraged drivers on First Avenue NE, who posted about the incident on social media.

Erceg said fortunately, there was a Crusaders volunteer — “Caesar’s savior” — Michelle Wood, who worked nearby and saw the accident out her office window. Wood contacted Erceg and Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control took Caesar to the Blue Pearl Pet Hospital for emergency care. The puppy had injuries from his hip to his head, she said.

Caesar had leg and pelvic fractures, as well as a head injury, a partially collapsed lung and damage to his right eye. He couldn’t close his jaw and needed staples for several lacerations to his body.

“He was in critical condition when they took him to Blue Pearl,” Erceg added. “The whole right side of his body was injured. He was hit by the front of the car.”

The puppy also had surgery to repair his hip and still is receiving treatment from an ophthalmologist at Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa in Hiawatha, for eye nerve damage that eventually will heal over time, Erceg said. Caesar also was able to close his jaw after the accident and didn’t need further medical attention for his mouth.

“He’s not ready for adoption yet but we are getting close,” Erceg said. “A vet technician at Blue Pearl, Kayla Wilcox, who Crusaders has relied on in the past, is Caesar’s foster care mom. He will be adopted through Uno’s Promise Animal Rescue in Cedar Rapids when it’s time.”

Erceg said Caesar’s medical bills were high, totaling over $8,000 in vet care and more than $9,000 in emergency care and surgery at Blue Pearl. Critter Crusaders obtained a $2,500 grant from Friends Helping Friends Foundation of Cedar Rapids to help with his bills.

Crusaders relies on donations and grants to provide vet treatment and other medical services to numerous dogs and cats throughout the year.

Erceg said Caesar, who they refer to as the “Cedar Rapids dog” because of the large outpouring of support for him on the Crusader’s Facebook site, will make a great companion for someone soon.

“He’s the sweetest and happiest guy ever, even when he was injured,” Erceg noted. “He has an amazing spirit and loves humans and other dogs.”

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com