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Flyball racer injured in CanAm Classic crash

By Wesley Coburn

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Irvin, an 11-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who has been at Battersea for 22 days sits for a photograph at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home on December 20, 2017 in London, England. Battersea Dogs and Cats home launches their winter 'In From The Cold fundraising campaign for stray pets. Over 20,000 pets in the UK will be abandoned over the course of this winter with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home looking after 550 dogs at any given time. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Irvin, an 11-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who has been at Battersea for 22 days sits for a photograph at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home on December 20, 2017 in London, England. Battersea Dogs and Cats home launches their winter 'In From The Cold fundraising campaign for stray pets. Over 20,000 pets in the UK will be abandoned over the course of this winter with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home looking after 550 dogs at any given time. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) /
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Flyball community rallies in support of injured dog.

UPDATE 4:15 p.m. ET – The MRI Monday afternoon showed spinal bruising, but no compression, so Havoc will not need surgery. He will undergo laser and physical therapy Monday evening, according to the team’s Facebook update.

His right hind leg has improved significantly in motor function, and is not looking to be a real concern.

His left hind leg should be able to regain most motor function in time.

“He is looking forward to lots of cuddling on piles of blankets while getting told how wonderful he is,” the Flyers’ update stated.

“We couldn’t be happier with the news and we know all his fans will be thrilled too! Next we will be arranging for continued care near home, including veterinary neurologist and rehab specialists to give him the best chance at the most recovery.”

UPDATE 2, 10/19/18 – “Havoc is quite happy to be home with Bill and Rae! He continues to stun everyone with the improvements he is making. Here he is before leaving IndyVet this morning, look at both those legs trying! The staff at IndyVet were phenomenal and Havoc won them all over, sharing kisses and convincing them he needed all the bedding. After a couple of days rest, he will be going for a rehab consult. In the meantime, he was sent home with some initial PT exercises,” the Frenzyer Flyers’ update stated.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for the outpouring of support he has received!”

Also, the GoFundMe campaign met its $5,000 goal, raising $5,295 so far for his medical expenses.

ORIGINAL STORY – Flyball racer Havoc crashed in a single-dog wreck during the finals of the 2018 NAFA CanAm Classic on Sunday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

Spectators described it as “a freak accident,” and “one of the ugliest single-dog crashes I’ve ever seen,” which “left everyone in the building stunned.”

The CanAm Classic is the equivalent of the Super Bowl or NASCAR’s Daytona 500 for the sport of flyball, which is essentially drag racing if it involved lots of barking and relay passes.

Havoc, of the club Frenzyed Flyers, based in the Youngstown, Ohio, area, was immediately rushed to IndyVets animal hospital.

Havoc is a six-year-old Border Collie/Staffordshire mix described by the club website as one of the fastest dogs on the team, who has achieved the title of Flyball Master Champion (FMCh), scoring over 15,000 total points in his racing career.

According to the Flyers’ Facebook page, Havoc was in stable condition and on pain medication on arriving at the hospital and was able to visit with his owner Bill.

Havoc saw a neurologist this morning, and as of the club’s last update on Monday morning was undergoing an MRI, with a possibility that he might then go straight into surgery.

The cause of the crash is undetermined, and he was attended to immediately by multiple veterinarians.

Amanda Brown of DogGoneFast, a club based around Raleigh, North Carolina, set up a GoFundMe page for Havoc’s medical expenses and rehab, with almost $3,500 raised as of this article’s writing.

Support, funds, prayers and well wishes from the flyball community came pouring in from across the United States and Canada, as well as overseas from as far away as Australia and Scotland.

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Dog O’Day will update this post as more information becomes available. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter for more information.

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