Happy ending for rescue dog after PerthNow article led to adoption of three-legged Jacko

One of RSPCA WA’s longest residents — a three-legged dog from Bunbury — has finally been adopted, after a fateful PerthNow article led to his now-owners bringing him home.

For 615 days, Jacko had been in the care of RSPCA WA after being rescued from an abusive home in January 2022.

He was found lying in a small wired cage in the backyard of a Withers home, with large wounds across his body that had been stapled shut by his owner in an attempt to “fix” the injuries.

The 25-year-old Bunbury man later stated that the wounds were caused by a kangaroo attack, which he had stapled closed himself (without any pain relief) — something he also admitted to doing on previous occasions.

Two years later, Jacko’s owner was prosecuted and received community-based orders, as well as a $6035.55 fine that covered the court and care costs (including the unfortunate amputation of Jacko’s front right leg).

As for Jacko, he remained in RSPCA WA’s care for nearly two years, patiently waiting for his future parents to walk through the door and take him to his forever home.

But on October 6, 2023, all that changed for the now three-legged dog, after a chance read of a PerthNow article about Jacko’s emotional plight.

The article led to new owners John and Deepti meeting him in person the next day saying it was love at first sight.

“We’ve all been so invested in Jacko’s journey that people from all over the site came to say goodbye,” said Shelter Coordinator Richelle Beswick, who said the feeling at Malaga shelter on Friday was one of elation.

“He’s such a loveable goofball, smart and handsome too, that it baffled us why he waited so long for his forever home.

“Jacko has certainly landed on his paws now though – the young couple who adopted him are so loving and caring and fully invested in giving him the best life possible.”