1 of 3 Ariel was abandoned in a supermarket car park when she was just 11 weeks old Photo: BBC Ariel was abandoned in a supermarket car park when she was just 11 weeks old Photo: BBC
A sixlegged dog named Ariel was abandoned in a B&M supermarket car park in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in September 2023 when she was just 11 weeks old.
Since then, the animal has been making headlines because of its six legs. Animal rights activists launched a campaign to urge her to undergo surgery to remove her extra paw.
The initiative raised around US$19,000 (around R$93,000) and received donations from around the world as the case had a major impact in many countries.
With the money raised, she underwent an operation that was considered a success, and doctors managed to save her four “normal” limbs, although they feared she would also have to amputate one of them.
Mikey Lawlor is the founder and manager of Greenacres Rescue, the center that took Ariel in after she was found alone, emaciated and in distress.
“The veterinarian who initially examined Ariel noticed that in addition to her two extra hind legs, she also had an extra vulva,” Lawlor said.
And a CT scan revealed he only had one kidney, further complicating medical treatment.
“Because she had two hip joints on one side, Ariel’s pelvis never formed properly.”
“As a result, his normal rear right leg had virtually no muscle tone, so there was a possibility that this could have been lost as well.”
“Fortunately, this was not the case as this stage has become significantly stronger in recent months.”
Looking for a permanent place
Ariel, named after the character from Disney's “The Little Mermaid” because her extra, partially fused hind legs resembled a mermaid's tail, underwent surgery on Thursday at the Langford Small Animal Veterinary Hospital in Somerset, in the southwest of the United Kingdom. Monday (18/1).
2 out of 3 people from all over the world donated money so that Ariel could have surgery Photo: BBC People from all over the world donated money so that Ariel could have surgery Photo: BBC
“She had two procedures that lasted about two hours, but both went well,” Lawlor explained.
“The next day she was awake, walking, eating and drinking.”
“Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed that she doesn’t get any infections, but she really is in the best hands.”
Lawlor hopes Ariel will be released this weekend to return to her temporary family in West Wales.
“Then, after several weeks of physical therapy and recovery, we will figure out how to find him a forever home,” he added.
“The response we've received to Ariel's story so far, including calls and emails from as far away as New York and Australia, has been incredible, so I have no doubt it will be embraced.”
“I can’t thank everyone who contributed to helping her enough.”
3 of 3 An xray revealed that Ariel had two hip joints on the right side Photo: BBC An xray revealed that Ariel had two hip joints on the right side Photo: BBC
Vicki Black, director of Langford Veterinary Hospital, added: “Ariel was a complicated dog whose care required close collaboration between several of our specialist teams, including specialists in orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia and radiology.”
“As part of the University of Bristol, we are a center dedicated to lifelong learning and we are proud to innovate and treat pets like Ariel.”
“We are pleased that such an adorable animal has recovered well from surgery,” he concluded.