When the male terrier didn�t die after being pierced with the first arrow, whoever was taking aim at the animal, shot him again.
Morristown/Hamblen County Animal Control officers are looking for the person responsible for the wounds, intense pain and more than $500 in medical treatment of the young dog.
Control officers Chris Collins and Richard Hart received a call around 8:30 a.m. on April 24, 2007 concerning a dog with an arrow sticking out of his leg on Springvale Road, according to Hart.
The dog was found behind the house of the man who called animal control. He was down an embankment and lying in an area covered in brush.
The terrier, now known as Archer, was shot twice by an aluminum hunting arrow. Once in his upper body, just below his heart and stomach and once through his right hip and left leg.
Because of his injuries, aggressive behavior and location, control officers could not lift him into their vehicle.
In an effort not to make Archer�s wounds any more severe, control officers had to slide him to the vehicle.
"We slid him a few feet at a time; giving him time to rest," said Hart, who also noted that April is Prevention to Animal Cruelty month.
"We had to secure the dog with a restraint pole. He was obviously in pain. And from my past experience an injured dog is a dangerous dog," said Hart, who said Archer was also muzzled during the rescue.
Officers took Archer to Ridgefield Animal Hospital where Dr. Richard H. Hewitt examined him and began treatment.
According to Hewitt, who removed the arrow from Archer�s leg, Archer was shot either Sunday or Monday. He also believes the dog is around 2 to 3-years-old
The injuries Archer sustained are not life threatening, but Hewitt is concerned about infections in his legs and chest and the threat of hemothorax, which is the rupture of either membrane lining of the thorax � or covering� of the lung. Hemothorax occurs as a result of a puncture wound and can cause difficulties in breathing.
Archer�s right tibia was shattered as a result of the arrow hitting the middle of the bone. Surgery will be required to repair his leg.
Hewitt said further examination will determine if a splint will be needed on the inside or outside of his leg. A plate or pin will also be required.
"I am trying not to do a whole lot with him just yet," Hewitt said, "he is in a great deal of pain."
Archer also has a few "superficial wounds" as a result of the broken end of the arrow piercing his side.
Hart and Hewitt said it is unclear how the arrow was broken.
The man who called animal control said he attempted to cut the top of the arrow off with a pair of garden shears.
Because of the aggressive behavior of the dog, Hart said it is highly unlikely that the man was able to get close enough to cut the arrow.
Hart believes the dog tried to gnaw at the arrow causing it to become jagged and with every movement the arrow pierced his side.
Archer also has an injury to the back of his neck. Officers are unable to determine the cause.
Hewitt said it will take six to eight weeks for Archer�s leg and wound to heal, but it will take up to six months before he will regain strength in his leg.
The question now is who is the shooter and why did the person committed this act of cruelty.
"Even if it was an accident, it was wrong to leave him there," said Hart, "people have to report things like that."
Hewitt and Hart both said they do not believe that Archer posed a threat to anyone.
"This little puppy has never been harmful to anyone. He was just a moving target for someone was who tired of still targets," said Hewitt.
Hewitt added that is possible that the person shot Archer with the intent to kill him because of the upper body wound.
Or if the dog was shot in the leg first, the person realized what they had done and saw the amount of pain he was in and shot Archer a second time "to put him out of his misery."
This not the first time control officers or Hewitt have seen this type of cruelty.
Hart has come across dogs who have been hung, shot or stabbed.
"It is not unusual to X-ray an animal and find shotgun pellets and the owner not know they have been shot," said Hewitt.
Hewitt and the shelter also wish to find Archer�s owner.
Anyone with information regarding the owner of Archer or the individual responsible for the shooting please call the Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society at 423-581-1494. Case UpdatesA Morristown dog that was shot three times with an arrow now has a new home.
When investigators found Archer last month, he still had one arrow lodged in his leg.
Dr. Richard Hewitt of Ridgefield Animal Hospital in Morristown says the dog is recovering well.
"Just about everyone who comes through that doors knows something about him," says Jodi Lawson, Veterinary Assistant.
Dr. Hewitt says, "Everybody wants to see the celebrity dog."
Archer, a male terrier mix has gathered a loyal following since the accident. People all over the country have been tracking his progress hoping he'd pull through.
Lawson stays, "I actually put a muzzle on him to start him and held him when they put him under anesthesia."
Lawson and the injured Archer became quick pals during the recovery process and now they're pals for life.
Lawson adds, "I really didn't think I'd have a chance whatsoever."
After receiving more than 100 phone calls and more than 50 applications from people wanting to adopt the dog, he's staying local.
Archer is going home with the Veterinary Assistant who nursed him back to health.
"I thought he'd be snatched up grabbed up and gone. It's really amazing to me they picked me that they thought it was a good idea. I'm glad they did," says Lawson.
Dr. Hewitt says, "Even though he won't be here everyday, we're keeping visitation rights so he does have to come see us every once and a while."
He's an in demand star who hasn't seen the last of the limelight.
On Tuesday, Archer will visit a Jefferson County Elementary School and meet the kids who've grown fond of him.
Lawson says, "I think he likes the attention. He likes to talk to people, to come up and see them and to be petted."
Archer still needs one more surgery to remove a pin in his leg. In about 6 months he should be totally recovered.
David Thomas, the person suspected of shooting Archer is due in court next month | Source: WBIR.com - May 14, 2007
Update posted on Jun 3, 2007 - 4:06PM |
The outpouring of support over a dog shot with three arrows has been phenomenal. Friday, a man has been charged with the crime.
You can really feel the relief at the animal shelter Friday. Archer's case has gathered national attention.
But, most shocking, .the man charged with hurting him, 43-year-old David Thomas, was the man who called officers to report Archer was injured.
"He should have some closure himself," says Hamblen County Animal Control Officer Richard Hart.
And now Archer may have got it.
Hamblen County Animal Control officers say 43-year-old David Thomas was charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal.
"Thomas signed a confession stating that he had shot Archer multiple times with arrows with the intent to kill him," says Hart.
Officers say Thomas surrendered his archery equipment, including this compound hunting bow authorities say Thomas admitted using to shoot Archer.
"Staff members made the comment that he wasn't remorseful at all about it," Hart says.
We tried to talk to Thomas, but he was not available.
"Lesson learned is call animal control if you have a stray problem," Hart says.
Dr. Richard Hewitt says Archer's surgery went extremely well and he's not only making a physical recovery, but an emotional one as well. "He's learned this little thing of running up and slides on his back for you to rub his stomach. That just shows you, he's good."
And soon Archer will be healthy enough to go to his new home.
The Morristown/Hamblen County Animal Shelter has received tons of emails and phone calls wanting to adopt him.
Some from as far away as San Diego and NYC.
"Animals give us joy, they give us companionship and something like this should never happen to an animal," Hart says.
If you want to make a donation for Archer's medical bills or would like to adopt Archer, you call the Hamblen/Morristown Animal Shelter at 423-581-1494 or you can go to 300 Dice Street. | Source: VolunteerTV - May 4, 2007
Update posted on May 4, 2007 - 9:43PM |
Dr. Richard Hewitt of Richfield Animal Hospital in Morristown has been taking care of the dog. He says the dog was shot at least three times. One arrow was still lodged in his right rear leg when he arrived at the vet. He was also shot in the neck and chest.
"Fortunately, it was low enough that the arrow did not hit anything vital," Hewitt says. "Any higher and it would have been...it was already life threatening, but any higher and it would have been very unfortunate."
The doctor believes the dog is between two and four-years-old. He's hobbling around pretty well on his broken leg. The doctor showed 6 News the dog's X-ray, showing the arrow going through his leg. It shattered the animal's shin bone.
"He's got a splint that's on the outside of the leg. But what we're wanting to do is put either pins, orthopedic pins or plates, on the inside and reposition the bone," Hewitt explains.
Since he's been at the animal hospital, the veterinarian assistants have been showing the dog lots of love and he's returning their affection. When allowed to roam freely around the office, the dog hobbles over to the nearest person and offers a friendly lick.
"I don't understand the reason for the injuries in an animal that is that easy going," Hewitt says. "If given a chance, he probably would have walked right up to whoever shot him. It's just sad."
Animal control Officer Richard Hart found and nicknamed the dog "Archer." Hart says seeing the dog suffering made him angry. "It makes me very mad. I could understand if the animal was shot once, possibly an accident, but three times, someone was intentionally trying to do this."
Officers don't know if Archer belongs to anyone or who would want to hurt him. He had successful surgery to repair his leg Monday. Now, the humane society will look for someone to adopt him.
"It's a good little dog. It will make somebody a good pet and he will recover. In a few weeks, a few months, he'll be running. He'll be playing," Hewitt says.
If you have any information about what happened to the dog or would like to help, please call the Morristown/Hamblen County Humane Society at (423)-581-1494 or visit their Source: WATE - April 30, 2007
Update posted on Apr 30, 2007 - 8:42PM |
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