Watch CBS News

Injured Cattle Dog Heading Home After Recovering From Hit And Run

LOOMIS (CBS13) – Maggie, the cattle dog, is going home today after spending two-and-a-half weeks recovering from near fatal injuries at a veterinary clinic.

Maggie's been at the clinic since June 19th, after a hit-and-run driver allegedly sped through a cattle run, targeting animals and people alike.

The vehicle plowed into a few cows and narrowly missed some horseback riders, but border collie Maggie took the brunt of the attack, according to her owner John Reader.

Maggie's leg was broken and she suffered severe internal injuries, requiring a three-hour surgery to save her life.

CBS13 first told Maggie's story back in June.  Soon after, donations poured in to pay for her medical bills. 

Just days later, Sierra County Sheriff's deputies arrested 19-year-old Justin Philip Lombardobarton for assault with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty for allegedly deliberately steering his Jeep into the herd of cattle and hitting Maggie.

John Reader will pick Maggie up from the Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic and take her home to the family ranch in Nevada City this afternoon.  Although the vet says her prognosis for survival is good, it is doubtful she will ever herd cattle again.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.