Puppy Brutally Attacked on Caribbean Island Would Have Died—Until a Vet Flew In to Save Him
Gabriel, a five-month-old puppy, was brutally attacked with a machete on a remote beach on the small island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. With no emergency veterinarians available on the island, his survival was uncertain until Helpaws, a local dog charity, put out a call for help on social media.
Charlene Troubetzkoy, the founder of Helpaws, reached out to Renee Fleming, a veterinarian based in Guelph, Canada. Dr. Fleming didn’t hesitate—she flew to St. Lucia to rescue Gabriel and bring him to safety.
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Gabriel’s injuries were extensive. He needed damaged teeth removed and several wounds closed. Yet despite the trauma he endured, Gabriel remains affectionate—he loves pets, kids, and people.
After spending several weeks in a veterinary hospital, Gabriel was moved into foster care with Sarah Nicole Landry on June 13. However, his case remains complex. Vets are closely monitoring his jaw and a persistent infection that has already led to the amputation of one of his toes and the tip of his tail.
Thanks to his dedicated care team and the generosity of supporters, Gabriel is receiving everything he needs. As of June 24, he remains on a feeding tube but will soon travel to veterinary specialists in Ottawa for further evaluation and potential reconstruction of his damaged jaw.
Helpaws shared this update on Instagram:
“Sweet Gabriel continues to be such a brave little fighter. Over the past week, he’s been under close care as we work through several ongoing health challenges. He’s on antibiotics and is being evaluated for possible immune-related issues, as a bacterial embolism may have compromised blood flow to his extremities.”
In the month since his rescue, Gabriel has shown remarkable perseverance and an incredible capacity for love. Everyone is rooting for his full recovery—and a well-deserved forever home. To find out more about the work Helpaws does visit their website.