Lt. Kenny Jay Mata was filming a public safety announcement when he spotted a thin, frightened dog wandering near a low-water crossing and dangerously close to traffic, turning the assignment into an urgent rescue.
Here's what to know
As iHeartDogs documented, the stray was in a risky spot beside passing vehicles when Mata saw her during the PSA recording. In a Facebook post, the Texas Department of Public Safety - Central Texas Region (DPS) said she ran when he first tried to approach, indicating that she was afraid of people.
Rather than pursue her, Mata lowered himself to the ground and spoke gently, waiting until she felt safe enough to come closer. That patient approach eventually worked, and Mata moved her away from the roadside and out of immediate danger.
A trip to the veterinarian then showed that the dog would need extensive medical care, DPS wrote.
More background
Her examination confirmed that her condition was serious. Vets estimated that she was about 6 years old and found that she was severely malnourished, along with having significant skin and ear infections.
Further testing revealed heartworms and intestinal parasites, so DPS noted her recovery would require long-term treatment rather than a single intervention. The veterinary team also scanned for a microchip and found nothing, leaving no quick way to identify any former owner or learn where she had been before.
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"Sometimes the sweetest dogs are tossed aside by owners too broke or just too heartless and selfish to treat heartworms or other parasites," a Facebook commenter lamented.
It remains unclear how long she had been on her own or what led to her health problems. She needed steady food, medical attention, and a safe place to recover.
What's being done?
As he and his wife became more involved in the dog's care, Mata decided to bring her into their home and make that support permanent. They named her Khloe Jay, giving the former stray a fresh start with a family committed to helping her heal.
The post said her treatment includes care for malnourishment, skin and ear infections, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. While there is no confirmed timeline for a full recovery, Mata and his wife have already addressed the most immediate threats to her well-being.
"Thank you for your service and your big heart for this animal who couldn't speak up and may well have perished had you not stopped to check her out," a Facebook commenter wrote. "Now she gets to experience a happy forever."
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