The family of a mum who died in a horrific car crash is appealing for donations to save her pet dog who survived with 75% burns.
Samantha Garcia was a passenger in a head on collision which also killed two others.
Miraculously, the 24-year-old healthcare worker's dog Nala survived - but suffered burns to most of its body and is fighting for its life.
A rescue centre is attempting to raise money to pay for vet bills and ongoing care for Nala, so the pet can be reunited with Samantha's only daughter Aurora, two.
Nala, a two-year-old pitbull mix, is being treated for infections and has to be placed under anaesthetic every day so vets can clean the pooch's wounds.
The pet is currently in a critical state, and if it survive, will require back surgery and may even need to have an ear removed, which could cost around £30,000.
Lisa Rose, 35, from Second Chance Rescue, an animal charity promoting the fundraiser, said: "The two-year-old keeps asking for her mummy and she keeps asking for Nala.
“She wants to know where Nala is, so it's important for us to try bring Nala home.
“It is up in the air because of the infection component. She is in a critical care unit 24/7 with specialists. She is getting the top care.
“They are optimistic if they keep everything on course, she'll be okay, but they can't say that to us.
"It's a huge undertaking.
"The hospital is providing a discount because even the hospital feels bad about the whole situation, but even with the discount it's up there because the level of care she needs is so great."
Mum Samantha was the passenger in a Chevy Equinox which collided with a Lexus in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on June 4.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, along with the driver and passenger of the other car, Michael Blackmon, 25, and Nicholas Barruzza, 26.
The driver of the Equinox, a 26-year-old, was flown to hospital with serious injuries, it was reported.
Family and friends of Samantha, from Rockaway, New Jersey, launched an online fundraiser to pay for Nala's treatment.
Writing online, one said: "She has needed multiple surgeries and was badly burned from the flames.
"Nala is the only part of Samantha that her family and young daughter have left.
"Her vet bill has been accumulating to thousands of dollars between transfers to multiple vet facilities for care.
"Family and friends would appreciate any donations or help in finding resources to help Samantha’s family for Nala’s bill."
They have so far raised more than $2,000, but Second Chance hope to collect $50,000.
Charity founder Jennifer Brooks, 41, said: “It's such a tragic, terrible situation for the family and we want to ease their burden and ease their pain during this time.”
