Man Rescues Dog Riddled with Open Wounds and Maggots from Ditch

A dog riddled with open wounds and thrown in a ditch was going to die and he would probably have if a Good Samaritan hadn’t spotted him and decided to stop and help. Thanks to that beautiful act of kindness, the Pit Bull, now named Charlie Sikes, has not only survived but now has a chance at a bright future.

A few weeks ago, a man driving in Sikeston, Missouri saw Charlie on the side of the road.

“He [Charlie Sikes] was found in a ditch with large, open, gaping wounds full of maggots all over. A Good Samaritan found him and did not keep driving. He pulled over and loaded him in his car, not knowing what the next step would be,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on their Facebook page.

That next step was reaching out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

One look at him in the back of his car and it was clear Charlie desperately needed medical attention.

As the man drove Charlie to their shelter, staff shared pictures of Charlie with his savior and wrote, “His journey to a new life is underway. He’ll be here soon and we will keep you posted, he’s going to need your love and prayers.”

And it would be touch and go on his first night. His wounds were so graphic his rescuers opted not to share many of them on social media. But seeing him so battered and wounded completely broke their hearts. But Charlie Sikes pulled through!

Charlie Sikes now sports bandages all over his body and has had multiple treatments to his terrible wounds.

“My lord, his EYES are so beautiful! You can tell how sweet he is just by the shape of his eyes,” Stray Rescue said in an update about Charlie.

They also posted pictures of him smiling for the camera. They wrote, “This big-headed angel boy has stolen our hearts. He is still getting bandage changes every other day for the wounds that are all over his body.”

During the past few weeks many people have stepped up to help the dog in his recovery.

Stray Rescue said they received an incredible donation from Jim at Nextra Health who walked into the shelter with $5000 worth of wound care products and supplies that will directly help in Charlie’s recovery.

And Charlie Sikes’ spirits are lifting too.

“Charlie Sikes is healing so well! He got to leave with one of our volunteers, get out of the clinic, and go to the park for a short walk,” Stray Rescue shared in an update. “She said she had to hold him back because he really wanted to run! This miracle boy is feeling GREAT!!”

In fact Charlie Sikes is doing so much better we’re pretty sure he’ll be ready for foster or adoption soon!

In the meantime, consider supporting dogs like Charlie in their recovery by making a donation to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Pupdate:

Charlie Sikes is ready for a medical foster. The shelter staff write: “Right now, this little lover is looking for a medical foster with no other animals, AND he’ll need to come in two-three times weekly for bandage changes. But summer is here, so we thought it was worth asking!! Once he’s medically cleared – and you’re madly in love with him – he’ll be ready for adoption! (Fosters get first dibs :)) Strayrescue.org/foster

Pupdate: August 2023

Stray Rescue shared the most wonderful news on Facebook – Charlie Sikes found his forever family!

They write:

“His new mom is one of the kindest people we’ve ever met.” Despite his terrible ordeal, “He became the most loving, grateful, snuggly, wild, happy boy in the clinic. He was absolutely hilarious and never once felt sorry for himself. He had us smitten immediately with those innocent, almond-shaped eyes. And now today, he leaves us. He walks out the door, tail wagging a million miles per minute. He’s done it. He’s now family.”