Rescued puppy is star of the show

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - Around 1,000 dogs strolled to Grand Island for the annual, Paws in the Park walk but one dog stood out from the crowd of fur.

That is Walker.

Walker was dragged behind a car for at least a mile, fur ripped off his little body.

Linda Tilton who rescued the puppy said, "All four of his feet had open holes where the bones were exposed top and bottom."

The damage to the cocker spaniel puppy was extensive.

"His chest and groin were all ripped apart," she also said.

It's hard to believe he shows almost no sign of the brutality he suffered.

"The clinic saved his life," Tilton explained.

She's referring to the Emergency Animal Clinic in Amherst.

Little Walker then spent weeks recovering at the Erie County SPCA.

Barbara Carr from the SPCA said, "We did a number of treatments to help those deep wounds heal."

Tilton is the store manager at the gas station where he was dragged to by a young couple from Florida who are not facing charges unless they return to NY state.

Linda is adopting the puppy and wanted to call him Walker in the hopes that he would walk again, the name obviously fits.

He had the starring role at the walk, where he led the crowd of canines to the finish line.

Tilton has had him home for a few weeks and says he's a typical puppy.

"He chews things, falls off furniture, runs around," exclaimed Tilton.

Tilton heard from people from around the world wanting to help.

The thousands of dollars in vet bills were paid for through the generosity of Western New Yorkers.