CROFTON, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A Crofton family has been inspired to start a rescue after the community rallied behind a severely neglected stray dog. Lacee Knight first saw the Bluetick Coonhound mix running alongside a cornfield in Crofton on June 30, and she decided to bring him in.
“He was absolutely just skin and bones, so we stopped immediately and bribed him into the car with half a Godfather’s pizza,” Knight told Christian County Now. “When we found him, he was absolutely pitiful. His spine, rib cage and hip bones were prominent, and he looked like he hadn’t eaten in months.”
They initially reached out to local shelters to try and find him a facility to safely recover at, but nearby shelters and the Christian County Humane Society were at capacity. Due to the extent of the recovery he required, admission would also put him at risk of being euthanized.
Community chips in for vet bill
Knight decided to hold on to the sweet pup, bringing him home to her farm in Crofton and giving him the name Blue. An appointment at the Hopkinsville Animal Clinic revealed he had a severe bacterial infection and also had fleas, ticks, hookworms. They left the vet with six medications, hope, and a $500 vet bill.
At this point, Knight took to Facebook and publicly shared Blue’s journey. Through community engagement, she learned that Blue had been spotted around Crofton for several months, possibly since early spring. She shared the details of the vet bill, and the community immediately responded and contributed funds. Within a couple of days, she had raised enough to pay off the first bill as people became invested in his recovery.
“The community support has been absolutely overwhelming in the most positive way,” Knight said, also adding that she had to turn people away after the original bill was covered.
Continued recovery, rescue in his honor
After nearly two weeks on the farm, Knight shared that Blue is already making great improvements. New photos show that he has gained weight and is getting comfortable in his surroundings.
“It took several days for him to trust us, the vets, or anyone else, but the aggression has subsided, and his sweet, playful personality is really starting to shine,” she said. “We intend to nurse him back to full health before rehoming so that we can insure he has received everything he needs.”
Amid the recovery, Knight and her family were already in the process of opening a boarding kennel on their farm this fall called Top Paw Dog Retreat. Since their encounter with Blue, she has been inspired to add an extension to the businesses that will allow them to house a couple of rescues. This addition comes with a very special name to properly mark her experience.
“The name of this extension will be Blue’s Crew Rescue in honor of this sweet boy that has stolen the community’s heart,” said Knight.
Those looking to donate and support Blue’s ongoing recovery and vet bills can contact the Hopkinsville Animal Clinic at (270) 215-5865 and ask to contribute to the stray listed under Lacee Knight.
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