Puppy attacked with machete in St. Lucia finds ‘fur-ever' home in Ont.
After a brutal machete attack in the Caribbean, a nearly-five-month-old puppy has found his forever home in Guelph, Ont.
Gibby, formerly known as Gabriel, was found in May by a surveyor doing work on a remote beach in St. Lucia. With little to no options, the surveyor contacted Helpaws – a non-profit animal rescue located on the island.
'He was just on the ground, sand everywhere, completely dehydrated,' recalled Kisha St. Romain, Helpaws operations manager. 'His tongue was hanging out, there were maggots in his mouth, he couldn't eat or drink anything.'
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy, recovers in Ontario after he was attack with a Machete in the Caribbean
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy who was attacked with a machete in the Caribbean, recovers in Guelph, Ont. in May 2025. (Submitted: Renee Fleming)
After the island vet recommended euthanasia due to a lack of resources, Helpaws contacted Renee Fleming, a veterinarian at Guelph Animal Hospital, who had worked with the rescue on spay and neuter missions.
'We brought him back from St. Lucia and he had an initial few surgeries for his trauma,' said Fleming.
After a few treatments and tests, the pup was given a second chance at life and it was time to find him a loving family. Luckily, he didn't have to go far.
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy, recovers in Ontario after he was attack with a Machete in the Caribbean
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy who was attacked with a machete in the Caribbean, recovers in Guelph, Ont. on May 29, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)
Fleming said she didn't plan on adopting Gibby when she first met him, but after spending weeks together, it seemed like the perfect fit.
'I couldn't imagine our lives without him,' she said.
According to St. Romain, Helpaws received numerous applications to adopt Gibby.
'We were not expecting it,' St. Romain said about the eventual adoption. 'But it was a great outcome. We couldn't have asked for somebody better to adopt him.'
Gibby, Gabriel, the dog
left: Veterinarian Renee Fleming, Gibby (formerly Gabriel) the dog, and Renee's son Asher Fleming posed for a photo in Guelph, Ont. on July 18, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)
Leading up to Gibby's adoption, the rescue started a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of his care, surpassing their goal of US$25,000.
'It's so nice to see that they were able to raise so much money in his name,' said Fleming. 'But we're able to care for him moving forward.'
Fleming said the funds will go to other animals who need help, something St. Romain said is ever-growing.
'All of that money is now going towards these dogs that need the care that they couldn't receive here on the island,' St. Romain said.
Gibby, formerly known as Gabriel
Gibby, the dog formerly known as Gabriel, sat in the grass in Guelph, Ont. on July 18, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)
As for what's next, Fleming said Gibby may undergo further testing and imaging once he's fully grown. But for now, he's putting his best paw forward.
'At this point, we just want him to be happy and live the best life that he can have,' Fleming said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
5 minutes ago
- CTV News
Northern Ont. senior charged with impaired driving after beach disturbance
A 76-year-old Elliot Lake man faces impaired driving charges after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a disturbance at Spine Beach last week. July 18 at about 1:30 p.m., officers were called to the waterfront following reports of an intoxicated older man making inappropriate comments to lifeguards. Police located the suspect and took him into custody. As a result of the incident, the man was charged with two impaired driving offences – including operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80. In addition to the charges, under provincial legislation, the motorist also received 90-day driver's licence suspension and the vehicle used to get him to the beach was impounded for seven days at the owner's expense. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 11. Police warn against impaired driving In a news release over the weekend, OPP reiterated warnings about the dangers of impaired driving. 'OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive,' police said, adding that impaired driving should be reported to authorities. Report impaired drivers Ontario Provincial Police are urging the public to report suspected impaired drivers. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police) 'Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122,' said police.
CBC
5 minutes ago
- CBC
Canadian girl, 9, who was reported missing by father found dead in N.Y., state police say
Police in New York state say they have found a nine-year-old Canadian girl who went missing in northeastern New York dead. A news release from New York State Police says officers from the Warren County Sheriff's Office received a call from a man reporting his nine-year-old daughter missing from the area of Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, possibly due to an abduction, on Saturday just before 10 p.m. ET. They say the child was identified as Canadian resident Melina Frattolin, and her father as 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin. The release says the Warren County Sheriff's Office initially led the investigation and as the case progressed, officers identified inconsistencies in the father's account of events and the timeline of Melina's disappearance. Police in New York say with the help of several local police agencies, Melina was found dead in Ticonderoga, N.Y., about 50 kilometres east of Lake George near the New York-Vermont border, on Sunday. The investigation has been turned over to the New York State Police, and at this time police say there is no indication that an abduction occurred and there is no threat to the public. There was no word on charges in the news release, and New York State Police did not immediately respond to questions about the circumstances surrounding Melina's death.
CTV News
35 minutes ago
- CTV News
Northwestern Ont. man charged with drug trafficking after police raid
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service located and seized quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with cash, a knife and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking from a home on Lincoln Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on July 16, 2025. (Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) A 29-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including drug trafficking, after Thunder Bay police seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl and other items during a raid at a south-side residence last week. Officers responded to a call for assistance in the 1100 block of Lincoln Street on the morning of July 16. Upon entering the home, they located a man who was not a resident and took him into custody. 'The investigation found that the suspect was under a court order to not be present at that address,' the Thunder Bay Police Service said in a news release. Thunder Bay Police Service Cruiser An undated photo of a Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle parked in a residential neighbourhood of the city. (File photo/Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) During a search of the home, officers discovered quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with cash, a knife and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking. As a result, the accused is charged with two counts of drug trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, failing to comply with a probation order and failing to comply with a release order. He appeared in court on Thursday and was remanded into custody, with a future court date scheduled.
