"He’s eating and drinking without assistance," she reported Monday, "and lets us know when he needs to go outside. We’re keeping him confined in a protective carrier right now to make sure he gets plenty of peace and quiet while he recuperates." Mrs. Kunz said that Ranger still walks with an unsteady gait, but indicated that this can be expected for a while, given the nature of his injuries.

The Humane Society asked the public for assistance in meeting Ranger’s medical expenses, and the response has been extremely positive, says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. "In addition to funding that will be very helpful in covering the costs of treating this dog — who was close to death when he was first rushed to Southeast Valley Veterinary Hospital — we’ve also been receiving lots of very touching and heartwarming messages of support and encouragement for Ranger, which we will forward to the family. I know these will mean a lot to the Kunz children, since many of these prayers and good wishes have come from other children who also have beloved pets of their own. We deeply appreciate the way the community has pitched in for Ranger."

The Ranger Fund has brought in over $3,000 to date, and it is believed that this will adequately meet the expenses that have been incurred so far. "Utahns are very caring, generous people," says Mr. Baierschmidt. "When someone innocent has been hurt, they pull together and rally around the victim. I’ve lived in other parts of the country, and I can tell you that what we’ve seen here with Ranger is unique. And it’s wonderful."

The Humane Society’s focus now will be on trying to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime that took place in the Riverton house a week and a half ago. "We have offered a $5,000 reward for information that will put the wrongdoers where they belong, and another organization has pledged an additional $2,000," said Mr. Baierschmidt, "and we hope that will bring somebody who knows something forward."

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