BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A family is facing a tough dilemma when it comes to their dog, who has been part of their family for seven years.

Dakota is a black lab, and last summer she was hit by a car and left to die.

Her owners, the Moreno family, found their dog and took her to the vet. Dakota stayed at the veterinarian clinic for about three days and then, because of cost, the family decided to take her home and care for her themselves. The vet told them her leg would have to be amputated, but the Morenos couldn't afford that surgery.

Over the past year they have kept Dakota's leg bandaged and in a sling, and they say Dakota feels no pain.

"It will be real hard for our family to put her down, and my kids most of all," said Genifer Moreno.

The last week of January, Kern County Animal Control were doing licensing checks when it saw the dog and gave the Morenos a "notice to comply." According to the Morenos, they were told Dakota either needed to have her leg amputated or she needed to be put down.

Guy Shaw from county animal control said it's against state and county law to not give an animal the medical care they need. The Morenos said they understand that and are not blaming animal control, and they are hoping they can find a solution to their problem.

"(Dakota is) a great dog and has a lot of life left in her," Moreno said.

The story may have a happy ending, though. Affordable Pet Hospital, 8150 Hageman Road, got wind on this story as Eyewitness News was putting it together Thursday and said it may perform the needed surgery for free.