Volunteers save dog injured in Ventura accident that killed its owner

Bridget, a 6-year-old dachshund-terrier-pit bull mix, hobbled around the patio of a foster home in Oak View last week as she recovered from injuries suffered in a fatal traffic incident.

Her owner, Bryan Brahn, 70, was killed while crossing Victoria Avenue in Ventura on March 3. Brahn, who was homeless, was in the crosswalk near a Walmart off Avocet Drive when his cart fell over around 7:25 p.m., Ventura Police Department officials previously said. He had been picking up his belongings in the dark when a driver, who had the green light, struck him. Another of his dogs, Serena, was killed.

Veronica Sanchez, a volunteer and board member for the Canine Adoption and Rescue League, a local nonprofit known as C.A.R.L., had seen Brahn walking his dogs around Ventura, frequently sitting outside the Carl’s Jr. and Taco Bell on Johnson Drive.

“As I was asking around, I found that more people had known about Bryan and his little dogs,” Sanchez said.

She said she had interacted with them in the past, often giving the dogs treats and providing small financial support to Brahn whenever possible.

The past contact Sanchez and other dog lovers had with Brahn and his canines ultimately helped save Bridget’s life after the dog was slated to be put down.

Donna Gillesby, deputy director for Ventura County Animal Services, said animal control personnel responded to the scene of the March 3 accident. They took Bridget to the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Thousand Oaks. She had suffered pulmonary contusions and broken ribs, Gillesby said.

A relative of Brahn’s was contacted for next steps regarding Bridget’s care, Gillesby said. Due to expenses in the dog’s continued care and concerns about her bite record, Brahn’s relative opted for euthanasia, she said.

But Sanchez and others ultimately stepped in on the dog’s behalf before the procedure was carried out.

“It was like divine intervention,” said Francisca Carrillo, a volunteer with C.A.R.L. and All For Love Animal Rescue, who also made calls seeking to halt Bridget’s euthanasia.

After both women made calls to the county agency and to management at the shelters where they volunteer, the board at C.A.R.L. approved taking over Bridget’s care, they said.

Oak View resident Jennifer Triem, a C.A.R.L. volunteer who fosters dogs, has been in charge of housing Bridget since March 10. The dog will remain in Triem’s care for 30 days before going into a training and boarding program.

Just over a week after the accident, Bridget was taking her first steps to recovery, which will ideally lead to a new home down the road.

Sanchez and Carrillo set up a GoFundMe campaign for Bridget’s medical and care bills. As of Wednesday afternoon, they had raised more than $1,500 toward a goal of $10,000. You can find the fundraiser at gofund.me/a7410564.

Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com.

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