Border Collie Puppy Left with 5 Fractures and Severe Burns Overcomes Injuries and Finds a Home (Exclusive)

A border collie puppy is bouncing back from a cruel start to his life.

According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Luca the puppy allegedly endured "severe abuse" at the hands of his former owner. A July release from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announcing the indictment of the dog's former owner claims in March 2024, Luca's old owner threw the "14-week-old puppy off a bed – breaking numerous bones." The individual also allegedly burned the dog's back with hot water. In response, the former owner has been charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals.

The day after the alleged abuse took place, Luca's former owner brought the puppy to a Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital in New York City because the dog could not walk, the release continued, adding that vets at the animal hospital discovered that Luca had two femur fractures, three rib fractures, and severe burns on his back, ear, forehead, eye, and muzzle during this examination.

The extent of Luca's injuries required the dog to stay at the Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital for several days, after which, according to the ASPCA, the puppy was transferred to the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center in early April.

The move was made as part of the partnership between the New York Police Department and the ASPCA, which is a coordinated effort between the NYPD, APSCA, other animal welfare organizations, veterinary and shelter partners, and human services agencies — who are all dedicated to helping the victims of animal abuse heal and find justice.

At the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center, Luca received wound debridement, aggressive pain management, wound dressings, and daily bandage changes to treat his injuries. The young pup also had surgery to address his hind limb fractures.

"When Luca first arrived in our care, it was clear he had sustained significant injuries that were causing him severe pain and discomfort. For several weeks, Luca underwent intense medical treatment at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center, followed by physical therapy and behavioral care and enrichment," Kris Lindsay, vice president of the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center, explained in a statement to PEOPLE.

Once Luca started to heal, his personality began to shine through, and it quickly won over his caretakers.

"Despite everything Luca has had to overcome, he's demonstrated remarkable resilience, and as he began to recover, his sweet and playful demeanor won the hearts of his dedicated team of animal caregivers," Lindsay added.

When Luca was ready for less intensive care, he moved from living full-time at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center into a foster home. Dan M. was the lucky individual chosen to help shepherd Luca into his new life. After a week with Luca, Dan M. grew deeply attached to the puppy, so in July, he decided to officially adopt Luca, now named Niko.

"I'm happy to have him, happy to give him a better life. He's the smartest dog I've ever been around. He wants to learn; he's eager to please. He already knows all the basic commands, so I'm reinforcing those. His favorite game is hide-and-seek. He loves it," Dan tells PEOPLE about the pup, who is now seven months old.

Niko still has some scars from his old life. The burns he sustained left a large patch of scar tissue on his back. Niko wears a UV-blocking shirt while outside to keep this sensitive area from getting sunburned. Aside from this protective wardrobe choice, it is difficult to tell that the puppy has experienced any hardship because he is so eager to love and learn.

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"When I learned about what he had been through, I felt bad. He still has a lot of scarring, but slowly, his hair is starting to replace it. We always keep his vest on when he's outside because he likes to play pretty hard and enjoys socializing off-leash in a park with other dogs," Dan shares.

These happy endings drive the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center's staff, who often see pets at their lowest point, to persist with their challenging but essential work.

"We're grateful we were in a position to help him heal, and we look forward to watching him continue to thrive in his new, loving home." Lindsay shared in her statement.