I saw this on Facebook and had to share it mainly because we live within minutes of the Shenandoah River and love to swim there.
A resident at Shenandoah river, Shenandoah VA, reported that their 12 year old son was throwing a stick into the water for their Labrador retriever Sam to fetch when suddenly the dog started emitting loud yelps and frantically started swimming to shore. When Sam got to the shore, he had severe wounds to his legs and torso and was bleeding badly. Sam was taken to a veterinarian who treated the dog and called the State of Virginia Department of Game and Fishes. Game Wardens used nets in the area of the attack and subsequently netted about a dozen Piranhas, the largest about 2 pounds. Officials stated that it is not unusual for aquarium owners to release Piranhas into lakes when the fish get too large for their aquariums; but usually Piranhas cannot survive the cold climate that is present in Virginia. Fish and Game officials speculate that the warm waters near the Shenandoah River Nuclear facility allow the Piranhas to survive. Officials are consulting with biologists about how to address the problem; meanwhile they are going to issue an official warning to people to avoid getting into the water until the Piranhas can be eliminated from Shenandoah River.
Sam is resting quietly in the hospital recovering from his wounds. Anyone wishing to send cards please send to the following address:
Notareal Veterinary Clinic
0812 Gotcha Lane
Luray, VA 228355