UPDATE: August 8, 2014 at 6:10 p.m.
The abused baby coyote rescued last week in Santa Maria made it through surgery Friday morning in Atascadero and was headed back to its care facility in Solvang Friday night.
The pup was found by a plumber in an alleyway back on July 31, according to Julia Di Sieno with the Animal Rescue Team.
Electrical cord was wrapped tightly around her neck and arms, and visible puncture wounds match the ends of the cable pieces used to constrain her.
Preliminary investigations suggest the animal may have been tortured, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Friday's surgery was to correct a fractured and infected jaw, likely suffered as part of trying to free itself from the wires.
Di Sieno says depending on how well the puppy recovers it could possibly be returned to the wild. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will make that decision when its time.
Original story:
An abused coyote puppy found a week ago in Santa Maria is recovering and is being prepared for surgery Friday in Atascadero to correct an infected, fractured jaw.
The puppy has gained international attention according to Solvang's Animal Rescue Team, the organization currently caring for the animal.
Julia Di Sieno is with the organization and says the puppy has gained weight and is doing better.
Di Sieno says the drought is forcing wildlife into urban areas, people are then exposed to them and these are the results.
An investigation is underway by the Department of Fish and Wildlife in conjunction with Santa Maria Animal Services.
Di Sieno says the reward for information was up to $5500 as of Thursday afternoon.
For more photos of the injured and recovering coyote, see the Animal Rescue Team Facebook Page.