Fundraisers for a disfigured husky's recovery launch to restore its owner's trip to Sochi
In Sochi, Russia, 9-year-old Valentin Korolev has been through a harrowing ordeal. In February 2023, he was attacked by two huskies, resulting in injuries to his upper lip and nose.
After spending six months in the hospital, Valentin underwent five complex surgical manipulations under general anaesthesia from March 2023. He is now preparing for a new procedure to remove scars and is being discharged from the hospital on Friday.
Valentin's family, who were recently forced to move due to financial constraints, have been struggling to cope with the costs of his treatment, which medical predictions suggest could span at least five to six years, requiring multiple trips to Moscow. The cost of the return ticket for Valentin and his father is over 44,000 rubles, and they have reported that they need funds for the journey.
Unfortunately, the parents of Valentin, who were financially illiterate before the accident, have not been able to manage the donations collected for him effectively. Employees of the Sochi mayor's office have stepped in to help, settling the family's debts.
The owner of the dogs, Roman Tsyganov, had not fed or watered his animals for 10 days, causing them to escape and attack Valentin. Tsyganov has not yet received compensation for the incident.
Valentin's mother and family have had to face additional hardships. His mother has undergone a facial smoothing procedure, and they have recently moved. Despite these challenges, Valentin remains hopeful about the future. Upon returning to Sochi, he plans to find work to support his children.
Valentin's father, Valentin Korolev Sr., has once again asked for donations from sympathetic individuals to help cover the costs of their return journey. As of now, only four tickets remain for the return journey, and they are for Saturday.
The community's support for Valentin has been overwhelming, and it continues to grow. As he embarks on the next phase of his recovery, everyone hopes for a speedy and successful healing process for this brave young boy.
