UP Conductor saves dog, gets PETA award

Here's the PETA press release:

Salt Lake City - For rescuing an injured stray dog who had somehow managed to survive for months in a remote area of the Utah desert, Salt Lake City resident Ken Van Moorhem will receive a Compassionate Action Award from PETA.

According to news reports, Van Moorhem, a train conductor, first spotted the dog wandering in the desert several months ago. He and other conductors threw food to her as they passed through a tunnel that she used for shelter. After expressing his intent to drive out to get the dog on his day off, another conductor stopped his train and picked her up. The dog--named Hogan after the tunnel that she took refuge in--was suffering from a variety of serious ailments, including a collapsed lung, a broken foot, a dislocated hip, a torn ligament, parasite infestation, and broken teeth. In addition, one of her feet was missing--she had apparently chewed it off after becoming trapped in a snare. Van Moorhem has taken Hogan into his home, provided her with veterinary care, and set up a fund through Wells Fargo Bank (called "Help for Hogan") to pay for the many treatments that she still requires.

"Thanks to the compassion of Ken Van Moorhem and his coworkers, Hogan beat incredible odds and now has a reason to wag her tail again," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "We hope that Ken's kind actions will inspire others to intervene when they see an animal in distress."

Van Moorhem will receive a framed certificate accompanied by a card signed by PETA staffers.
​

This story from the Deseret Morning News has more detail and a photo of Mr. Van Moorhem and the dog.

 

That's a beautiful story! Good for Van Moorhem.

 

I'm not a dog lover myself but it was a nice thing to do. Does sound more like he picked up a money pit more than a pet though.