When New Yorkers Rachel R. and her partner Drew visited the ASPCA Adoption Center to adopt a pet, they met two dogs they’d seen online before selecting Stella, a 2-year-old pit bull mix.

“Stella’s behavior and energy level were a good match for them,” says Cindy Dong, an admissions and placement specialist who processed Stella’s adoption.

Cindy explained Stella’s cruel history, which involved multiple, non-accidental fractures that had gone untreated, and shared how the Medical and Behavior teams had worked extensively with her.

Rachel and Drew, experienced dog owners, were undaunted. They adopted her that day, February 12.

A Painful Past

Stella arrived at the ASPCA Animal Hospital on October 29, 2024, limping on both hind legs. She had been abandoned at the NYPD 100th Precinct stationhouse in Queens two days before and was transferred to the ASPCA as part of our partnership with the NYPD.

“She had a lot of injuries, and resisted placing any weight on her hind legs,” says Dr. Alison Liu, a forensic veterinarian who examined Stella.  

Radiographs, or x-ray images, revealed bilateral chronic fractures — of the top of the right femur, or thigh bone, near the hip joint, and of the shaft of the left femur bone. Muscle atrophy was present in both legs due to their non-use and a bony callus was visible along the left thigh bone.

“The images showed the left femur fracture was older than the right,” Dr. Liu says. “Stella also had a chronic healed fracture of the right humerus — the upper arm bone between the shoulder and elbow.”

Stella underwent a right femoral head ostectomy, surgery to remove the right broken femur head. Her left femur fracture is considered a chronic malunion, which means it may never fully heal to complete resolution.

Dr. Liu says Stella’s multiple bone fractures were the result of blunt force trauma.

Stella weighed just 43.5 pounds on October 29, left, but gained 8 pounds by December 4.

Stella’s thin body condition, at 43.5 pounds, was attributed to malnutrition and muscle atrophy. Skin scars on her head were consistent with healed dog bite injuries, and she had a fracture of her right frontal forehead bone and her left cheekbone, and two rib fractures.

Stella also suffered from fractured and missing teeth, a chronic traumatic injury to the tip of her tongue resulting in a partial amputation, and infections in both ears.

Stella’s head is pockmarked with healed dog bite injuries, and she suffered a broken tooth, right.

“Stella’s injuries were consistent with non-accidental trauma, often referred to as intentional abuse,” Dr. Liu says. “Unfortunately, there were no leads in the investigation, and the case is now closed.”

Physical Therapy

Stella’s medical care was funded in part by a generous grant from The Brady Hunter Foundation, a global non-profit dedicated to supporting animal welfare. Despite her traumatic injuries, she did well clinically.

Following directives from veterinarians in the Animal Recovery Center, where Stella recovered, licensed veterinary technicians focused on exercising her right hind leg after her surgery. 

“We started with a warm compress of her right hip, followed by a massage of her thigh muscles,” says Devon DeFrancesca, an LVT who handled Stella’s PT twice daily for over a month. “Her normal routine consisted of a passive range of motion of her entire leg, extension and flexion, and a three-legged stand where we elevated her left hind leg to ensure she built up stability on her surgery leg.” 

On intake, Stella avoided using both hind legs due to untreated fractures in those legs. Her condition was corrected with surgery and physical therapy.

As Stella’s treatment advanced, Devon encouraged her to stand up on her hind legs, supporting her front legs and letting her take a few steps forward and backward.

“We followed her comfort level, slowly increasing intensity,” says Devon. “She loved bully sticks, a high-value reward, so we paired one with every session. She was most relaxed and willing to exercise if we started with a gentle approach and built up from there. We’d give her the bully stick at the outset, and as she lay on her side munching it, we moved forward with the warm compress and massage.

“She was understandably timid at first, but we earned her trust by ensuring she was well rewarded,” Devon adds. “Fear-free techniques, positive reinforcement and classical conditioning all helped her cooperative care.”

Addressing Behavior Concerns

Behavior experts stepped in to apply Stella’s next level of treatment.

“Stella received an A grade for her sociability with people and ability to be handled,” says Sara Xing Eisenberg, a behavior associate. “But she got a C for her dog test which concerned us.”

Despite being intensely aroused and vocal around other dogs, she didn’t bite.

With behavioral intervention, Stella learned to interact appropriately with other dogs.

“She sounded aggressive but only scared other dogs,” says Sara. “It was off-putting and hard to find a ‘helper dog’ who would tolerate her. We wanted to gather more information to know if she was eligible for treatment and could relax, eat or play in another dog’s presence.”

At first, Stella refused to take high-value treats or toys with other dogs present. But outdoors, Sara’s team witnessed a transformation.

“Outside, she did miraculously well,” says Sara, who taught Stella how to walk with and greet other dogs appropriately. “She pulled on her leash when passing other dogs, but nothing like during her initial dog-on-dog test.”

Eventually, Sara moved the co-walks inside. Once at the Adoption Center, Stella was happily co-housed with another dog.

“Stella was always lovely with people, but we needed to get to the bottom of her dog-on-dog behavior,” Sara says. “It was like peeling an onion to discover the nitty gritty, working Stella through calm and controlled exposures to other dogs. Her transformation was pretty amazing.”

A New Life

At home, Stella is rarely alone for long periods as Rachel and Drew, both schoolteachers, can check on her at lunchtime.

“We thought it best to adopt in the middle of the school year,” says Rachel. “That way, Stella could get used to our routine.”

Rachel and Drew introduced Stella to their parents’ dogs on Long Island and will take Stella hiking this summer.

“She’s so easygoing and loves to be outside,” Rachel says. “She’s also good in the car.”

Although her old injuries sometimes cause stiffness — a fading reminder of difficult times — Stella now uses both hind legs well with minimal discomfort, proving that her past no longer interferes with the present.

“We put in a lot of work to give each dog we treat the best possible chance,” says Sara. “Stella deserved that.”