RED PAWS Chicago’s beloved ambassador finds a home

by Julie Mazzola | Apr 30, 2012

Red, a loving Pit Bull Terrier, was seven years old, when his world was turned upside down after his owner was attacked and robbed in their home in 2009. Attempting to protect his owner, Red was shot in the back and lost the use of his hind legs. Fortunately, Chicago Police Officer, Brian Cicio, contacted Animal Care and Control (ACC) to help Red. As his owner was taken to the hospital, ACC officers picked Red up and took him to the city pound. 

With his owner unable to care for him, euthanizing Red seemed, at the time, the only humane option due to the major care he would require for the rest of his life. Fortunately, Red was spotted by a PAWS Chicago team member who was making her daily trip to transfer in pets for adoption. Red was taken into PAWS Chicago, given medical care, led by PAWS chief veterinarian, Dr. Jessica Von Waldau, and eventually placed into the adoption program, where he quickly became a favorite among staff, volunteers and visitors. 

According to Dr. Von Waldau, Red was paralyzed from the last segment of his spine and down, thus he was unable to move or have feeling in his lower back, tail and hind legs. Dr. Von Waldau was, and continues to be, Red