STUARTS DRAFT, Va. (WHSV) – When individuals drive on significant roads, like Rt. 340 in Augusta County, people often overlook what’s stranded on the side of the roadway. It can range from litter, debris from weather condition or traffic accidents or carcasses left after an animal was struck. On May 28, the Nafzger family stumbled upon a 70+ pound pit bull in the middle of the road, which was still breathing when they passed by it.Jeff Nafzger is an animal enthusiast; he takes care of his pets, a number of which are pit bulls also and felt called to assist the stranded canine. Because Rt. 340 is a hectic highway in Augusta County, lots of tourists are driving through the location at a “high rate of speed,” according to Jeff. Jeff and his household right away pulled over to examine the pet and shielded the canine from oncoming traffic in hopes of finding aid. Nevertheless, one truck came “barreling” through the stretch of roadway he and his household discovered the pet dog on.Instinctually, Jeff scooped up the pit bull and encountered the roadway to safeguard the pet dog, unaware of the damage to his face he suffered because the dog sunk its teeth into him. Jeff’s better half, Keisha, said she believed she lost him permanently. Keisha was uninformed of Jeff’s escape maneuver to safeguard the pet and initially presumed her other half had actually died. However, she was shocked to see him on the other side of the roadway, face in pieces.When Jeff’s family ran over to him, he insisted he ‘d drive himself to the hospital. At the moment, he stated he felt no discomfort however might see something hanging in front of him. That”something “was a part of his nose ripped off by the pet dog. Jeff’s child Kaleb called the rescue squad, and Jeff was immediately required to Augusta Health. He was then flown to UVA for more specialized treatment. Keisha stated Jeff remained in surgery for two and a half hours as medical professionals used local anesthesia to his face and offered him numerous stitches.After this treatment, Jeff spiked a fever the next day. An infection was embeding in after he established cellulitis in his hand.
It will be numerous months before the Nafzgers understand what skin will live and pass away from the injury, however Jeff stated he would do whatever all over again to save the life of an animal.”I couldn’t as a human being have a dog look me straight in the face like she said, in pain and suffering, and after that have a truck roll right over him in front of me.
I wasn’t going to do that. That’s not who I am, I have actually had a canine die and I held him in my arms as he passed away, “He said.Keisha praised Jeff’s bravery and has actually been by his side through every treatment. She said Jeff did the right thing, even if he did sustain injuries.” I don’t know how someone stands there and enjoys a full 75-pound pet dog simply get smashed below someone’s tire with its head sticking up,” She said.Jeff had just recently started a job at
the Hershey plant in Stuarts Draft. Keisha said he had not gotten a paycheck from them yet, but he did have access to medical insurance through them. Now, he is not able to operate at Hershey due to the fact that of his injuries. Jeff stated he would not have the ability to return to the plant until he was able to wear a mask again. In the meantime, the family is doing Doordash and Amazon shipments to offset medical costs and every day life expenses.The Nafzgers also have a GoFundMe page established for the community to assist support them. Both Jeff and Keisha stated the neighborhood has currently overruned them with assistance and are wishing for more people to assist Jeff after the mishap. A link to the GoFundMe can be discovered here.The pit bull they saved did not live after Jeff attempted to save it according to the GoFundMe.Copyright 2024 WHSV. All rights scheduled. Jeff Nafzger was hospitalized after trying to rescue a pit bull in need on the side of the road.
