Chicago dog gets 'sex-change' surgery to save its life

A shelter dog from Chicago was about to die until an animal rescue stepped in, providing the dog a needed $7,000 "sex-change" surgery.

The operation was the only option to save Bishop, a 7-year-old German Shepherd, said veterinarians, who found stones in his bladder and penis.

Jodie Hoffman-Ruffalo, executive director of Racine County, Wis.,-based Woof Gang Rescue, said their group takes in dogs who need all kinds of care.

"They're not disposable to us and if we have the option to save them, we're going to do it," Hoffman-Ruffalo told WISN-TV.

When she heard Bishop, who was at the Chicago Care and Animal Control, was just hours from being euthanized, she stepped up.

"If the procedure wasn't done, he would have died," Hoffman-Ruffalo said.

She called the procedure a "sex-change." The dog is now named Bishy.

"Basically, you're rerouting the entire system of the dog, so a dog that would pee normally forwards, will now pee backwards," she said.

The surgery was a success, however, some people have complained to Hoffman-Ruffalo the operation cost too much.

"It's enraging, and heartbreaking because you instantly get so mad because people like that that don't have that understanding I urge to get involved with a rescue," she said.

She said she will continue to help as many dogs as possible.

Bishy has one more surgery. After the dog recovers, the rescue hopes to find an adoptive home.