Puppy attacked with machete in St. Lucia finds ‘fur-ever' home in Ont.
After a brutal machete attack in the Caribbean, a nearly-five-month-old puppy has found his forever home in Guelph, Ont.
Gibby, formerly known as Gabriel, was found in May by a surveyor doing work on a remote beach in St. Lucia. With little to no options, the surveyor contacted Helpaws – a non-profit animal rescue located on the island.
'He was just on the ground, sand everywhere, completely dehydrated,' recalled Kisha St. Romain, Helpaws operations manager. 'His tongue was hanging out, there were maggots in his mouth, he couldn't eat or drink anything.'
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy, recovers in Ontario after he was attack with a Machete in the Caribbean
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy who was attacked with a machete in the Caribbean, recovers in Guelph, Ont. in May 2025. (Submitted: Renee Fleming)
After the island vet recommended euthanasia due to a lack of resources, Helpaws contacted Renee Fleming, a veterinarian at Guelph Animal Hospital, who had worked with the rescue on spay and neuter missions.
'We brought him back from St. Lucia and he had an initial few surgeries for his trauma,' said Fleming.
After a few treatments and tests, the pup was given a second chance at life and it was time to find him a loving family. Luckily, he didn't have to go far.
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy, recovers in Ontario after he was attack with a Machete in the Caribbean
Gabriel, a 5-month-old puppy who was attacked with a machete in the Caribbean, recovers in Guelph, Ont. on May 29, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)
Fleming said she didn't plan on adopting Gibby when she first met him, but after spending weeks together, it seemed like the perfect fit.
'I couldn't imagine our lives without him,' she said.
According to St. Romain, Helpaws received numerous applications to adopt Gibby.
'We were not expecting it,' St. Romain said about the eventual adoption. 'But it was a great outcome. We couldn't have asked for somebody better to adopt him.'
Gibby, Gabriel, the dog
left: Veterinarian Renee Fleming, Gibby (formerly Gabriel) the dog, and Renee's son Asher Fleming posed for a photo in Guelph, Ont. on July 18, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)
Leading up to Gibby's adoption, the rescue started a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of his care, surpassing their goal of US$25,000.
'It's so nice to see that they were able to raise so much money in his name,' said Fleming. 'But we're able to care for him moving forward.'
Fleming said the funds will go to other animals who need help, something St. Romain said is ever-growing.
'All of that money is now going towards these dogs that need the care that they couldn't receive here on the island,' St. Romain said.
Gibby, formerly known as Gabriel
Gibby, the dog formerly known as Gabriel, sat in the grass in Guelph, Ont. on July 18, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News)
As for what's next, Fleming said Gibby may undergo further testing and imaging once he's fully grown. But for now, he's putting his best paw forward.
'At this point, we just want him to be happy and live the best life that he can have,' Fleming said.
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