Buck, the young pit bull canine who was found recently in tall grass on the side of the road, severely injured and unable to move, has regained most of his strength and is expected to make a full recovery.

Ulysee Dumesnil, newly installed president of the St. Mary Chapter of the Humane Society of Louisiana, was told on Jan. 18 that a dog was found near Franklin lying in the grass, severly injured and malnourished. Dumesnil, a long-time animal rescuer, scooped the dog up and took him to Adrienne’s Animal Hospital, a local veterinary clinic, where a subsequent exam revealed that Buck had been shot in the rear leg and left to die.

Dumesnil contacted his colleagues at the Humane Society of Louisiana, which sent out a press release on Buck’s condition, and the story was widely shared on the Internet and in the local newspaper.

Donations to pay for Buck’s medical treatment came from as far away as California. Buck was treated for several ailments, including advanced heartworm disease, and just had surgery to reset his leg at LSU Veterinary School this week.

Dumesnil thanks all of Buck’s supporters for their help, generosity and kindness.

“Buck’s home and doing great,” Dumesnil said prior to the surgery. “He has his strength back and is full of life. When I picked him up yesterday, he ran up to me and was trying to speak. Many thanks to Adrienne and her staff for taking a special interest in Buck. Also all of the people that came by and donated, we thank you. Without that, all of the treatment that Buck had to have would be costly. He’s still not out of the woods yet. He has had all of his shots and worm medicine and must take pills every day.”

The surgery at LSU is expected to cost more than $500. Donations to cover that cost and other expenses associated with other cruelty investigations can be sent to the Humane Society of Louisiana, P.O. Box 740321, New Orleans, LA 70174. All donations are tax deductible.