MIAMI — A group of artists are being credited with saving a dog’s life after it was struck by two cars at a Miami intersection late Friday night.
The incident happened around midnight at Northeast 53rd Street and Northeast Second Avenue, just outside the Laundromat Art Space.
That’s where several artists were gathered when they witnessed a dog being hit in the road.
“The dog was in the middle of the intersection when all of a sudden, boom, there was a loud bang and the dog just laid still,” said Mark Herrera, one of the bystanders.
The dog, Koko, had strayed too far from home and was injured in the collision. Despite being hit twice, he survived.
“You look at him with disbelief and think how are you still alive? Just with a broken arm and a couple scrapes,” said one witness.
The group rushed Koko to an emergency veterinary clinic and cared for him over the weekend, raising money to cover his medical bills.
On Monday, Koko’s owner, Marlene Mieses, was reunited with her dog.
“Now I can sleep and eat,” Mieses said during the reunion.
“I thought I really lost him. I thought he was gone. I never gave up looking for him but I really thought he was dead,” she added.
Mieses had not known what had happened to Koko until she was contacted by the group.
“I want to thank everyone that really raised up some money and sorry,” she said, overcome with emotion. “I thank them, I appreciate them.”
The artists launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the $3,000 vet bill, and raised the full amount within 24 hours. But Koko still requires surgery, expected to cost another $2,500.
The group says they plan to keep the fundraiser active to help Mieses pay for the remaining expenses.
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