Tokio, the dog, is on the mend after being struck and run over by a pickup truck Thursday, April 23, in downtown Toronto’s Palmerston area.

Everything happened around 4:30 p.m. that day when Hiroki Ahamed Matsuoka let his 10-month old white German Shephard/Husky mix out for some fresh air on the fenced porch of his home near Christie and Bloor streets.

“I think somehow she opened the fence door and she got out,” said Matsuoka, who then started pursuing Tokio, who weighs about 55 pounds.

“The dog thought it was a game. She ran onto the street and was hit and run over by a black Ford 150.”

The truck’s driver did not stop.

“I saw the whole thing happen. The dog screamed. She fell down in the middle of the street then somehow crawled to the sidewalk,” he told toronto.com.

Another driver, a woman, then stopped to help and gave Matsuoka and his badly injured dog a lift to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic near Yonge Street and Davenport Road. He couldn’t even go inside the clinic due to the COVID-19 crisis.

In a call with staff and an ensuing video conference, Matsuoka learned Tokio sustained five broken ribs, internal bleeding through her abdomen, and deep cuts on two of her legs, and required a number of blood transfusions due to damage to her liver.

Facing a $20,000 vet bill, the recent University of Toronto graduate was forced to set up a GoFundMe campaign titled Please help my dog Tokio. He shared the link with his friends and on a few local Facebook groups. In just two days, the campaign has raised upwards of $12,000.

“Everyone has been so amazing with all the help, even with spreading the word,” he said.

“I’m really grateful.”

Matsuoka has also reported the hit and run to police. On Thursday evening, an officer visited his home and took a statement. At this time, investigators are looking for witnesses and video from the scene.

Tokio is now in stable condition and continues to recover in the veterinary clinic’s ICU. She is expected to be discharged early this week.