Oklahoma children donate money for dog's wheelchair

VELMA, Okla. (AP) -- A group of Oklahoma fourth-graders raised money to help an injured wiener dog get a new set of wheels.<br/><br/>The 5-year-old dachshund named Johanna is semi-paralyzed and incontinent

Tuesday, June 21st 2005, 10:32 am

By: News On 6

VELMA, Okla. (AP) -- A group of Oklahoma fourth-graders raised money to help an injured wiener dog get a new set of wheels.

The 5-year-old dachshund named Johanna is semi-paralyzed and incontinent after group of teenagers in Tennessee hit her with a baseball bat because, while chained to a tree, she wouldn't stop barking.

Rescuers at the Humane Society of Warren County, Tennessee, found the dog a new home in Fryeburg, Maine.

Fourth-graders at Velma-Alma Elementary in Velma were already raising money to help disabled pets when they heard Johanna's story on "Animal Radio." The students then voted to donate the $423 they had collected to pay for the dog's airfare to Maine and to buy a new wheelchair cart.

Teacher Kathy Barton says new owner Lauren Smith has already sent an e-mail repeatedly thanking the students for their help.