Three-legged pit bull mix ready to find home for the holidays

JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Like many of the animals at the Riverside County Animal Shelter, Peter the pit bull is up for adoption.

While this 2-year-old Queensland heeler pit bull mix has a calm demeanor, there is something he doesn't have - his left hind leg.

Animal services doctor Alan Drusys said Peter's leg was amputated after one of the worst cases of neglect he'd ever seen.

"That wound, whatever it was, left unattended for literally months at a time, caused the lower part of the leg essentially to mummify...to die off and mummify," Drusys said.

That was one month ago, and now shelter spokesperson John Welsh said Peter is ready for a new home.

"We want to encourage somebody that if they want to adopt this dog that they need to have some patience," Welsh said.

As for figuring out what happened to Peter, the staff at animal services doesn't know. But regardless, they say they plan to file charges against the dog's owner.

Peter is now available for adoption, but staff at the shelter want to remind people that he's not exactly a dog for everyone.

"So everybody here is really involved in making sure that he finds the right family, especially for Christmas. We're all hoping he finds a home for the holidays," said Jackie Schart, animal behaviorist at the shelter.