Maggie the cattle dog, run over during a livestock drive last week in Sierra County, is getting better -- and canine lovers are paying her vet bill.
Maggie, an 8-year-old border collie, was injured when an impatient driver in a Jeep veered into cattle being driven to summer pasture last week.
"She's continuing to improve," said dog owner and cattleman John Reader. "With time, it appears she is going to be fine."
Reader saw his dog Sunday evening, walking her around the Loomis Basin Veterinary Emergency Hospital where surgery was performed. Maggie suffered a broken back leg, and her spleen, liver and stomach were pushed into her chest cavity.
"Her therapy is to get her walking," said Reader. "The femur where the metal pin was placed won't become like a pegleg if they keep her mobile."
Maggie's vet bill was thousands of dollars.
"At last report, we were quickly approaching the amount for her medical needs," said Reader. "It's been so overwhelming. I sure am thankful for the community's support."
Sierra County deputies arrested a 19-year-old suspect, Justin Philip Lombardobarton, late Friday.
Lombardobarton, of Camptonville in Yuba County, is accused of intentionally hitting the cattle dog and five cows during the drive in Pike City.
Officials say he also threatened to run into several riders on horseback.
The drive was the annual Reader Ranch move of cattle from Pike City to high country grazing lands.
In this year's drive, pilot vehicles were leading the herd of about 300 head.
Reader said the driver drove through the passing cows, instead of waiting with other drivers.
After that, he steered directly toward Maggie, who was on the shoulder at the time, Reader said.
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