Hit by Car, Unhoused Woman and Dog Need our Help!

$10,000 in Vet Care Needed

Commander and his human were struck by a taxi in the early hours of this morning. We are counting on our community to bring Commander back to health.

The RAPS community can help save a dog who suffered a horrific accident with a car early this morning in the Downtown Eastside.

Commander’s person and her 17-month-old, 47-kilo bull mastiff Rottweiler cross, were living in a tent in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Yesterday, about 9:30 am, city officials evicted the pair, among other people, and impounded their tent and other possessions.

At about 4:30 this morning, Commander, his human and four other people were walking across the street, near Victory Square, when a taxi drove through a flashing red traffic light. The cab struck his person, who landed on the hood of the car and rolled off. Commander went under the car, was run over by the front wheel and dragged half a block by the taxi, which refused to stop.

Commander was stuck under a rear tire and the driver refused to back up or get out of the vehicle, forcing the four people to lift the car off the dog. A bystander prevented the driver from leaving the scene.

His human dislocated her knee and was treated at the scene by first responders who urged her to go to the hospital. She said she would deal with her own issues once she was sure Commander was cared for.

His human had been pulling a wagon with her limited possessions and her friends dumped its contents out to make a bed for Commander, who was in excruciating pain. A friend paid for a taxi to the emergency 24-hour veterinary hospital. But because she receives $500 a month welfare and had no money, she was turned away from the clinic.

When RAPS Animal Hospital opened this morning, both were welcomed and Commander was rushed into the care of the waiting medical team.

Commander had been wailing in pain since the accident and the staff immediately put him on IV pain relief while they undertook X-rays and blood work. In addition to a broken front leg with four bone fragments, pneumothorax (air in the chest), and severe lacerations, Commander is in severe pain, non-mobile and weighs 50 kilos. He is in critical care and there is no guarantee that surgery will be successful.

Caring for Commander will be a major expenditure. We are calling on our community to step up to fund the necessary medical treatment and we will keep you informed of Commander’s progress.

Please give generously and stand by for updates.