Cactus-eating pup ‘Cholla’ up for adoption

A Hidden Valley man and Maricopa Animal Hospital helped save a dog this week apparently so hungry and dehydrated it ate cactus.

A Pinal County Animal Care & Control officer responded to the call and rescued the brown and white boxer mix puppy.

“He was covered in cactus spines – they were in his mouth and tongue, all over his face, on his belly, in his paws and everywhere in between,” said J.J. Johnson, the responding Animal Care & Control field officer. “He was a pathetic sight. Fortunately, the people at Maricopa Animal Hospital were able to render immediate assistance to the dog we now call Cholla.”

Dr. Lora Schelle and her hospital manager, Sharon, sedated the puppy and spent two hours extracting hundreds of embedded Cholla cactus needles.

Cholla is about four months old. It is unknown how big he will grow to be. He is a typical, active puppy who will benefit from some training and guidance as he grows up.