Help Save 'Buster,' Hastings DPW's Canine Mascot

Buster, a Pitbull/Labrador mix, has been an honorary member of the Hastings Public Works Department since he was three months old.

"A former DPW worker's dog had just had a litter and Buster was the only puppy left," said Public Works Superintendent Mike Gunther.

A dog-lover himself, Gunther would have taken Buster home, but his house was already full of pets and people.

So Buster stayed at the garage—quickly becoming late DPW worker Charlie Murray's trusty sidekick.

When Murray passed away a number of years ago, Buster was adopted by Billy Osborn, though Gunther said he's really a member of the DPW family.

This past weekend, Buster became very ill and was rushed to an animal hospital in Yonkers. He has been there since Sunday—and while he's doing better, Gunther said he won't eat and needs to be tube-fed.

"The veterinarians there think he may have ingested some sort of toxin," Gunther said. "We think that some anti-freeze may have leaked when a generator overheated. Buster may have licked some of the chemical from the floor."

So far, Osborn has paid almost all of the veternary bill, which has reached more than $5,000.

In an appeal to the community, Hastings Police Sgt. Anthony Visalli wrote, "Buster has been a loyal and dedicated employee of the Village of Hastings since the passing of Charlie, and has asked for nothing in return but love. Unfortunately for Buster, no matter how hard he works, he does not qualifyfor medical benefits under the Village of Hastings plan."

He continued:

"We are asking everyone to reach into their HEARTS and WALLETS to help cover the cost of Buster's medical expenses. Any money collected that exceeds the current bills, will be placed in a seperate account for Buster, should he decide to eat any more rocks or drink any more toxic substances in the future."

But during his nine years at the DPW garage nothing like this has ever happened.

"He has a stomach of steel," Gunther said. "He will eat any kinds of scraps from our lunches or what we have around."

Buster helps raise morale on Southside Avenue. "Everyone looks forward to seeing him, playing with him," Gunther said. "I often take my son down on Sundays to visit Buster. He's the last living memory we have of Charlie."

And Buster plays another important role—

"He barks whenever salesmen come," Gunther said.

To contribute to Buster's veterinary bills, write a check to "Billy Osborne" and drop it off at the Hastings Police Station (on Maple Ave.) or the DPW garage (on Southside Ave.)