- April 24, 2024
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Palm Coast Animal Control Officer Kasey Hagan (middle) visits "Jocelyn the dog" and her new owners Doris and Julian Boyden on Friday, Dec. 14. Photo courtesy of the city of Palm Coast
Palm Coast Animal Control Officer Kasey Hagan trapped her along I-95 near the weigh station to rescue her. Photo courtesy of the city of Palm Coast
Press release by city of Palm Coast Communications and Marketing Manager Cindi Lane
The city of Palm Coast is calling it “A Christmas Miracle” — the daring rescue of an injured dog by Palm Coast Animal Control after she was abandoned on I-95. "Jocelyn the dog" has now been adopted by a local couple, according to a press release from the city of Palm Coast.
Jocelyn, nicknamed “Josie” for short, is now resting and recovering at her new home with her new owners Julian and Doris Boyden of Hammock Beach. The female blue pitbull is recovering following surgery to repair extensive injuries to her right hip and elbow.
“She’s enjoying all the love and attention,” Doris Boyden said in the release.
The story began Dec. 4 when Palm Coast Animal Control received a call of a dog injured on the side of I-95 near the weigh station. Animal Control Officer Kasey Hagan found the pup, but she was extremely scared and fled deep into the woods where Hagan could not follow. Kagan set a dog trap overnight in an attempt to contain her and get her the help she needed.
Hagan returned first thing the next morning and was so happy to find the dog in the trap. The pup was very cold and in pain with obvious injuries. She could walk only a short distance.
“All it took was patience, lots of treats and a little bit of love to win her over and gain her trust,” he said in the release.
Palm Coast Animal Control took her to the Flagler Animal Hospital for an evaluation of her injuries. She was cared for and then transferred to the Flagler County Humane Society in the hopes of reuniting her with her owners.
On Dec. 7, it was determined the dog would need an orthopedic specialist to repair her broken bones. The Humane Society posted a story on its Facebook page and did receive some donations toward her treatment, but the dog was in a lot of pain and the owners had not come forward. It was recommended she be humanely euthanized.
The Humane Society gave the dog, whom they had named Jocelyn, a couple of rawhide treats, and that seemed to help distract her from the pain. After conferring with Animal Control, the decision was made that Jocelyn would be put down Saturday morning if the owners didn’t come forward by then.
On Saturday morning, Dec. 8, minutes before Jocelyn was to be put to sleep as a result of her significant injuries, the Boydens came to the Humane Society after seeing the Facebook post and decided to adopt her. That same morning they also adopted a cat who they’ve named Freya after the Nordic goddess.
“The timing was truly impeccable and a true Christmas miracle,” Hagan said in the release. “My Christmas has been made already just by knowing this pup gets to carry on living life one treat at a time. This is why we do what we do.”
“Palm Coast Animal Control is extremely grateful to the Boydens for taking on this huge role to give Jocelyn a new start at life,” said Palm Coast Code Enforcement Manager Barbara Grossman. “We also would like to thank the Flagler Animal Hospital and the Flagler County Humane Society for their part in her rescue. We wish Jocelyn a speedy recovery and a stress-free life from here on.”
One final holiday reminder from Palm Coast Animal Control: “Adopt, don’t shop!”
