Parker, $1,000 dog abandoned with broken leg, gets new family

Parker, the abandoned $1,000 puppy, has found a new home, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services announced Friday.

A San Diego man bought the beagle/Boston terrier mix for $1,000 from a Los Angeles pet store but abandoned it when it suffered a broken leg within a few weeks. He left the dog with a friend who took it to a county animal shelter, where it underwent surgery paid for by donations to the agency's "Spirit Fund.''

After the puppy's tale was made public, dozens of people offered to adopt her. A Santee couple was selected, officials said.

Officials said Parker's case represents two disturbing trends:

-- Recession-beset owners abandoning animals because they cannot afford veterinarian bills.

-- People paying high prices for purebred and mixed-breed dogs from "puppy mills" when county shelters have plenty of similar dogs ready for adoption.

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-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Parker and her broken leg. Credit: San Diego County Department of Animal Services