How paramedics, CFA, vets rallied to save and reunite homeless man and his dog
Life had already been tough on Mungo Andrews and four-legged mate Ernie, but got even worse when they were in a serious car smash. Then compassionate emergency service workers not only saved their lives, but gave them a fresh start.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of strangers, a homeless man’s beloved dog has been saved from the brink of death — and the pair has been given somewhere to live.
Mungo Andrews and his four-legged mate Ernie were both badly injured when the car they were in careered off the road before smashing through a road sign and into a tree near Cruden farm, Langwarrin on July 19.
The American Staffordshire cross suffered horrific injuries, including a ruptured spleen and Ambulance Victoria and CFA services treated Mungo for a fractured sternum, broken ribs and back.
CFA Station Officer Sam McDonald said emergency services attended to Mr Andrews before they discovered seven-year-old Ernie lying “motionless” in the back of the vehicle.
“Being a dog owner myself, I knew straight away he wasn’t well,” he said.
“The poor thing would’ve been thrown around the car pretty badly.”
Mr McDonald said the pup became increasingly anxious when paramedics wheeled his owner into the ambulance for transportation to Alfred Hospital.
“He was getting extremely anxious seeing his owner leaving the scene, so we lifted him out of the back seat and laid him on the ground,” he said.
“His breathing was laboured and he was very limp … he was really starting to deteriorate.”
Ernie was kept warm by an Ambulance Victoria blanket while he awaited transport to Karingal Veterinary Hospital, where lifesaving staff successfully removed his spleen.
Two days later, Ernie was ready to go home.
The well-known homeless duo were split up for more than a week, with Mr Andrews recovering at the Alfred’s trauma unit after half of his abdomen was removed to stop internal bleeding.
Mr McDonald said he was “touched” by the miraculous survival tale.
“All four of us that attended to Mungo and Ernie are dog owners so we were all touched by it,” he said.
“Part of our job is protection of life and property, and life isn’t restricted to human beings.”
Mr Andrews took to Facebook to thank members of the community for their outpouring of generosity, including an offer from Langwarrin woman Sarah Batten who is currently housing the pair in a spare room at her home.
MORE NEWS:
IS THIS THE FACE OF A DANGEROUS DOG?
THE DANDENONG STREET WHERE TERRIFIED TRADERS CLOSE EARLY
“I’m just trying to give a leg up to someone in need,” she said.
“Ernie is a grouse dog … he’s well behaved, gets on well with other dogs and just loves everyone.”
The team at Karingal vet have significantly discounted Ernie’s medical bill, and a Pet Medical Crisis fundraiser for the pair has soared past $1,000 in donations.
Mr Andrews said he would return any favours to rescuers who pulled him from the wreckage and others who have offered meals, accommodation and donations.
“Thank you to all my magnificent friends who were responsible for saving Ernie’s life … this community has restored my faith in people,” he said.
“If there’s anything I can help with after I recover, please just ask … once I have another car I’ll bring Ernie down to see his saviours,
“I owe you all mine and Ernie’s life, because if he hadn’t survived, I wouldn’t have wanted to either.”
To donate, quote ‘Ernie’ at givenow.com.au/petmedicalcrisisfund