Blinded French bulldog Fred finds forever home with vet who saved his life
A French bulldog who was left with a fractured skull, jaw and ribs after being physically abused by his former owner has found a loving new home with the vet who helped save his life.
Fred was just seven months old when he was rescued by the RSPCA with multiple broken bones, significant damage to one eye and a broken ear.
Despite everything he endured, the affectionate puppy pulled through following intensive treatment at RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital.
He has since been adopted by Guilherme De Souza Abrao, one of the vets who cared for him, and his wife Jess.
The RSPCA is sharing Fred’s story as part of its Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign after new figures revealed a 64 per cent increase in summer cruelty to animals over the past five years.
The charity received 6,322 cruelty calls to its emergency line during June, July and August last year, equivalent to one every 10 minutes. That compared with 3,852 calls during the same period in 2021.
RSPCA Inspector Cora Peeters was the first on the scene after the charity received reports that Fred was being abused.
“When I entered the home and saw Fred, he was very subdued and quiet, and I knew this was far from how a puppy of just seven months should behave” she said. “The owners allowed me to take Fred to a vet because of his sore eye, but we couldn’t have imagined what we were to later discover.”
A local vet examined Fred’s injured eye but also became concerned about a lump on his head and the condition of his jaw.
He was referred to RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital, where X-rays and further tests exposed the shocking extent of his hidden injuries.
Cora added: “Guil and the team discovered that Fred had a fractured cheek bone and skull, as well as multiple historical rib fractures, and a fracture to his jaw which left us completely shocked. The lump on his head was revealed to have been caused by a fracture to the top of his skull which left a noticeable point which can still be felt today.”
Fred retained his sweet and affectionate nature throughout his treatment and quickly formed a bond with Guil, who was completing a certificate in ophthalmology at the time and was asked to work on the puppy’s recovery plan.
Guil said: “I knew as soon as I laid eyes on Fred when I arrived at work that day that I wanted to adopt him. He looked so sad and as though life had just been drained out of him. Seeing him in our hospital, with so many bone fractures, his bloodied eye, and a large lump on his head, made me feel incredibly sad”
Guil and Jess initially offered to foster Fred while he recovered, but he instantly became part of their family and the couple went on to adopt him formally.
Now safe in his forever home, Fred has been transformed into a friendly, playful and “ball-obsessed” dog who loves meeting people and rummaging through his toy box.
Guil added: “We simply adore Fred, he’s our family. Despite everything he went through, he is such a friendly, bright dog who loves meeting people. He’s incredibly intelligent, playful and ball-obsessed! His favourite thing to do is rummage through his toy box and sort everything out, as well as scent games. When he was recovering from his injuries, we gave him a lot of scent games to keep him occupied as he has the most amazing sense of smell. We believe this may have developed because of his impaired vision.
“There are times when Fred’s past causes him anxiety - he becomes noticeably agitated and worried when it gets dark, or when he smells alcohol, and because he is blind in one eye, we have to be careful when we approach him from that side.
“Fred is just the most wonderful, special dog and we couldn’t imagine life without him, he still bears the scars from his ordeal. We talk about these in a positive light, such as his pointed head, caused by a skull fracture, which we say makes him look like a unicorn, and his ear that was broken so permanently turns out to one side. He’s a unique dog with the most unique character, and we just adore him. He’s safe and happy with us now forever and we couldn’t be more grateful that we get to be the ones to look after him.”
Alongside the lasting effects of the abuse, Fred faces the chronic health problems associated with the exaggerated features of French bulldogs, including brachycephaly and spinal defects.
These conditions mean he may require significant additional veterinary care throughout his life, but Guil is able to provide the higher level of care that dogs such as Fred need.
The RSPCA’s Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign is highlighting the charity’s work to protect animals from abuse and suffering at a time when cruelty has reached its highest summer level in five years.
The charity is appealing for donations to help it rescue more animals like Fred and turn what it describes as a season of cruelty into one of “love, kindness and rescue”.
