Photo by Brad Neiss
OAKLAND, Calif. –Two schnauzers, who went missing from an Oakland house during construction work, are both accounted for but the story of what happened to one of them while missing has touched the heart of many in the Bay Area.
Last Thursday, Kevin and Clint, two schnauzers belonging to Brad Niess, escaped from home when a building contractor left a door ajar. Oakland Police found 4-year-old Kevin on the side of the road nearly beaten to death Saturday, but 1-year-old Clint remained missing.
That was until two days ago, when Niess received a phone call from a woman who saw a missing dog ad on Craigslist. The woman told Niess that one rainy evening last week the dog had wandered into her mother’s backyard around 77th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard.
Having dogs of their own, the woman and her children – who were keen on keeping the found dog – gave the dog a bath and plenty of affection to compensate for his being caught in the rain.
“We’re just really, really grateful of that family that they took such great care of him and made the effort to get in touch with us,” Niess said.
Neither dog had ever wandered more than a few backyards away from home, and Niess said Clint “never goes more than 10 feet away – he really likes to be near people.”
Saturday night, Oakland Animal Services reported that Kevin had been found nearly two miles from home “laid out to die on the side of the road.”
Kevin looked like he had been badly beaten and kicked, Oakland Animal Services director Megan Webb said Wednesday. Pellet gun wounds marred the fur near his eyes and on his head, and he was found with a broken elbow and severe bruising.
Kevin was transported to Berkeley Pet Emergency Hospital last week and received several treatments, medications, and surgeries costing in excess of $10,000, Niess said.
Although Kevin is on the mend, he “still has a long way to go,” Niess said. Because of his injuries, Kevin requires constant supervision.
Plans to throw a Dec. 30 welcome home party and fundraiser have been met with such overwhelming enthusiasm, Niess said, that he’s had to reschedule the event for the end of January at a larger venue because it would take a Christmas miracle to complete the remodeling work in time.
“We are very humbled by the experience and have the utmost gratitude for everyone that has sent us a kind email, that has given us a phone call, and donated toward Kevin’s vet bills,” Niess said.
Community members can keep track of Kevin’s progress at a special blog.
(Contributions from the Associated Press and Brad Neiss blog.)
