Badly Injured OKC Horse 'Rudy' Surviving

A horse named Rudy that has captured the heart of many Oklahoma animal lovers continues to hold his own, according to rescuers with Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue.

Rudy got his name for beating the odds after he was found entangled in barbed wire fencing. A man called Oklahoma City Animal Control to report the horse dead, but Rudy was still alive.

Rescuers say he'd been attacked by dogs and left out in the ice and rain. His ears, eyes and skull were all damaged, and he had multiple lacerations on his body. They say it was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they've ever encountered.

According to Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue, though some disagree with the decision not to euthanize the horse, he survived the worst of the ordeal and is healing.

1/2/2014 Related Story: Nearly Dead Horse Rescued In OKC

"He doesn't act as though he is in pain," the group's Facebook page status reads. "He is chewing, eating and drinking.

"He is starved for attention and can't get enough of the loving. If you try to leave, he tries to come with you."

Rudy's lacerations are healing, and he isn't showing signs of infection, the update states. His jaw has a fracture which will be watched for complications. One of the worst injuries was to a tendon, but the group says the horse has not shown signs of lameness.

"This horse has a fighting chance and will have a good quality of life," says the latest update.

The group has raised a little over $14,000 to help with veterinary bills and rehabilitation costs.

Learn More About Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue

On Friday, Oklahoma City Animal Control said it will pursue charges against the man who called them to pick up the "dead" horse on the 7000 block of St. Bernard Street.

Help With Rudy's Fight To Survive