BUCHANAN DAM, Texas — Animal officials in Texas are seeking donations to help a dog recovering from eight gunshot wounds earlier this month.
According to the Hill Country Humane Society, Messiah was brought to the agency after the dog was suffering from “multiple fragments or whole bullets in his body,” KTBC-TV reported.
On Jan. 11, the shelter posted on its Facebook page that Messiah was brought to them by animal control officers after he was shot in the face.
“One (fragment) is close to his nose. One in his neck. One in his upper back. And one bullet went through his back leg. He is anemic, most likely from the blood loss,” the Facebook post noted. “His stomach was full of gas and had to be drained.”
X-rays showed that none of his major arteries were hit by the bullets, KTBC reported.
“The vet said he was extremely lucky,” the Hill Country Humane Society wrote on Facebook.
An update posted on Tuesday noted that Messiah was eating and drinking but was still at risk.
“He is the sweetest boy even after all that has happened,” officials said. “Although things are looking great for Messiah, he is still at risk with a bullet/fragment lodged close to his nasal cavity. The vet said it is extremely unlikely it will relocate. His other wounds seem to be healing great. This boy is a fighter.”
The agency’s director, Paighton Corley, told KSAT-TV on Tuesday via email that all the bullets and bullet fragments have been left in his body.
“The vet said he was extremely lucky where they hit and as of now don’t need to be removed. They are all lodged in skin areas,” Corley wrote.
Messiah, estimated to be a 1-year-old Pyrenees mix, was found by a Llano County resident who heard gunshots and went outside. Corley said the resident found Messiah after the dog ran and hid under a porch, KSAT reported.
The organization Help Asheville Bears said it is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the case, KTBC reported.
Messiah was adopted this week, the humane society said.
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