The porcupine's quills punctured all three dogs, but Mahalo took the most, with some barbs affecting her heart and lungs.

She has  had extensive surgeries to save her life, but is reportedly recovering.

Nestah's injuries also required surgery, but he's recovering well, with no permanent damage despite taking quills in the spine and cheeks.

Soljah had only a few barbs to the chin, and they were removed without surgery.

A friend set up a GoFundMe account to help with the veterinarian bills, and more than $15,000 was raised. The fundraising page remained open after donations were closed, to keep people up to date on the dogs' recovery.

Keep Reading

Atlanta civil rights leader and international human rights activist Joe Beasley, pictured in 2011, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at age 88. (Curtis Compton/AJC 2011 )

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Featured

A migrant farmworker harvests Vidalia onions at a farm in Collins, in 2011. A coalition of farmworkers, including one based in Georgia, filed suit last month in federal court arguing that cuts to H-2A wages will trigger a cut in the pay and standard of living of U.S. agricultural workers. (Bita Honarvar/AJC)

Credit: Bita Honarvar