LONGWOOD, Fla. – An 8-month-old pit bull mix named Gunner is recovering at Luv-N-Care Animal Hospital in Seminole County after he was shot in the face.
“Our whole staff has been deeply affected by this case, especially in an 8-month-old puppy,” said Dr. Erin Shea, one of the veterinarians treating the puppy. “He’s been so wonderful with us. We can’t imagine why anyone would want to do this to him.”
She said the team suspects the bullet went through the right cheek, shattering several molars and lacerating his tongue.
Shea said although it seems the bullet went out the bottom of his throat, his X-rays also revealed a bullet inside his body.
[TRENDING: DeSantis ‘review’ of public records can add months of delays, newly uncovered log reveals | Car goes off Florida bridge in fatal crash with Road Ranger, FHP says | Affidavit offers new details in shootings of Orlando TV news crew, 9-year-old girl and her mother | Become a News 6 Insider]
“We do have a projectile right below his first vertebrae, his first cervical vertebrae,” Shea said. “We’ve decided to try and remove the bullet so we’ll be doing that on Thursday or Friday this week hopefully.”
The dog was first taken to Edgewater Animal Shelter, where he was then transported by a nonprofit that works with the animal hospital, Sophie’s Circle.
“He was found by a good Samaritan who found him (by) the Volusia and Brevard County line,” said Kathy Blackman, the nonprofit’s founder. “There’s something about this that’s just so awful and components that make it just so bad. First of all, it’s a puppy. Second of all, he was shot in the face.”
Sophie’s Circle has been helping abandoned and abused animals for 15 years. Blackman said cases like Gunner’s are too common.
“It’s really sad and tragic how many of these cases there are,” Blackman said.
Blackman said the surgery will cost about $10,000.
“We need to spay and neuter,” she said. “There’s too many unwanted animals and there’s too many in rescue, and the rescues are struggling to keep up.”
The Brevard Sheriff’s Office told News 6 that an investigation would begin once they receive information from the animal shelter where Gunner was taken to.
Shea said she hopes pet owners realize there are resources and help if they can no longer provide for their pets.
“There’s a lot of people that want to help you and if you’re ever in a situation where you’re coming to the point where you feel desperate enough to do something like this, it’s just one phone call away,” Shea said.
For more information on how to make a donation to Sophie’s Circle or to become a volunteer, visit the nonprofit’s website.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: