An Olde English bulldog puppy that was found limping in the middle of a Milton road Wednesday was supposed to be homeward bound after his owner called to claim him.

The puppy, Rocco, had disappeared on Tuesday from Randolph and was visibly injured, with his back leg dangling, when State Police arrived on Chickatawbut Road to pick up the wandering pup.

But after visiting the dog Sunday afternoon, the owner is trying to determine if she can afford his future medical bills before deciding whether to take him home, said Maura Porter, secretary of the Milton Animal League.

The 5-month-old dog had major surgery at Tufts Foster Hospital for Small Animals in Grafton on Friday, Porter said. Rocco was released to the league Sunday afternoon.

“He has pins and wires in his leg now, poor little guy,” Porter said. “He’ll have them for the rest of his life.”

The dog’s owner called to claim him Saturday and visited him at the Milton Animal League Sunday.

The owner, whom Porter did not identify, had filed a police report in Randolph when she realized Rocco was missing on Tuesday.

When she learned State Police had found him, she was so touched she said she would rename him Rocco-Trooper.

The league, a privately run nonprofit shelter, will pay the dog’s $5,000 hospital bill, Porter said, but the dog will need regular X-rays and treatments that will probably be costly.

“She wants the dog, but she wants to see if she can afford him,” Porter said Sunday evening.

Rocco-Trooper will stay at the shelter for a few days so volunteers can monitor his progress.

He will need close supervision for about 10 days until veterinarians take out his stitches, Porter said.

“He’s doing really well, he is able to walk around,” Porter said.

“He has to have a collar around his neck for four to six weeks, which I’m sure he’ll hate. But he’s incredible, adorable, and very, very happy.”