Community members are raising money to help pay medical costs for a dog who survived being struck by a car on Interstate 95.

"She had a pretty well shattered right femur and it was in many, many pieces," says Dr. Chris Benyei, a vet at Schulhof Animal Hospital in Westport.

The hospital says the 3-year-old bulldog-boxer mix Maddie was spotted with broken bones and deep cuts on the side of the highway by a motorist. She was initially taken to an emergency veterinarian in Norwalk for surgery before being transferred there.

"Either she was abandoned on the highway, or she found her way to the highway," says Julie Loparo, president of the Westport Animal Shelter Advocates. "And she was severely injured."

The Westport Animal Shelter Advocates have offered significant assistance to cover the cost of Maddie's medical care over the past month, the group expects the remaining cost of additional rehabilitation, surgeries and follow-up to cost another $5,000.

Earth Animal, a pet supply store in Westport, is selling "Save Maddie" T-shirts to raise more money.

News 12 is told that Maddie has developed strong bonds with her current caregivers and is available for fostering or adoption.