for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com april 18, 2013 • The queens Courier 23 SANITATION SAVIOR DOS worker rescues dog from trash BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com It was just another day on the job for sanitation worker Victoria Roman ‑ until something caught her eye. The morning of Friday, April 5, as the Brooklyn native was working in Astoria, she approached a garbage bag that began to move. When she and her partner looked inside, they found a wagging tail and a very sickly look‑ing dog. “First I thought it was just paper in the bag because she was white. When she moved I thought she was a rabbit,” Roman said. “I did what came natural‑ly and what I think anyone else would do to an animal in that condition.” After reporting her find to her supe‑riors, Roman asked her supervisor to watch over the helpless animal until she finished her shift so she could find a way to care for the dog. Having dealt with the loss of her own pooch, which she owned for over 16 years, Roman decided not to take the rescue home. Due to financial problems, Roman could not immediately take the pup to her own veterinarian. She instead asked for help from a friend who referred her to a shelter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, run by the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC). “I didn’t want to take her to a shelter where she would be put to sleep,” said Roman. “BARC is a non-kill shelter and they will find her a loving home.” Although the Maltese, now lovingly nicknamed “Victoria” at the shelter in honor of her rescuer, was found with an eye infection and matted with feces, but is now clean, full of life and slowly getting better. “She’s in good health,” said Alex Kaplun, dog kennel supervisor at BARC Shelter. “She’s been very curi‑ous, friendly and sweet. She’s learning how to be a dog.” “Victoria,” who is believed to be eight years old, is currently living with the shelter’s owners, Tony Spato and Vinny Spinola and is under the care of veterinarian Elaine Felton. Felton is looking after the dog and treating her for anemia. Once “Victoria” gains weight and the shelter determines she is healthy, she will be put up for adop‑tion. The shelter is no longer taking applications to adopt “Victoria,” after nearly 100 people requested to, but still welcomes donations to fund her recovery through the shelter’s website at barcshelther.org. Along with “Victoria,” Kaplun also hopes people can take the time to adopt other less unfortunate animals at the shelter who are looking for a place to call home. Photo Courtesy of BARC Shelter Victoria Roman, a sanitation worker, found a Maltese dog in a bag placed among garbage on April 5 in Astoria. Sciatica Pain? WE NOW HAVE COLD LASER Do You Have SCIATICA Or Its Symptoms? • Low Back, Buttock, Leg Pain • Leg, Low Back Weakness • Burning or Shooting Pains in Legs • Difficulty Walking • Numbness/ Tingling in Lower Back or Legs • Stiffness or Fatigue in Legs • Tender Points on Lower Back or Legs Therapy can begin today. Call Now. *Most Insurances Accepted. FREE CONSULTATION With this ad. Expires 5/30/13 • Physical Therapy • Chiropractic • Occupational Therapy • Acupuncture • Hydromassage • Cold Laser North Shore Rehab Associates 55 Northern Blvd. Suite 103 516-466-9300 Great Neck, N.Y. 11021
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