Dog shot with bb gun, plastic bag on head - Sugar Hill, GA

Thursday, Jul 5, 2007

Gwinnett County Animal Control is investigating a case of animal cruelty. Someone shot a dog and left the animal on the steps of the Sugar Hill Animal Hospital.

Considering the condition the dog was found in, the vets at the animal hospital are taking the situation very seriously.

The employees at the shelter named the dog Sugar. Melissa Albinni and her co-workers discovered the injured, abandoned dog on the steps of the Sugar Hill Animal Hospital. When they arrived on Thursday morning, they found the dog tethered to a bench with a plastic bag over its head, and a bloody towel. Those items have been handed over to Animal Control as evidence.

Dr. Chris Thomas was the first to treat Sugar.

He said someone fired a shotgun at Sugar, lodging two BBs in her head, and four others in her ribcage so deep, they'll have to leave them there.

"I've seen this happen before," Thomas said. "It really is tragic. They have the same pain receptors people do. It's a tragedy."

No one has come forward to claim Sugar, so the staff has adopted her -- tending to her wounds, scheduling a surgery to remove the BB lodged between her eyes, and constantly marveling at the canine who doesn't appear to hold a grudge.

"She is one of the nicest dogs," said Albinni. "If anybody was looking for a dog, this is it."

As investigators look for who shot the dog, Albinni said that the staff wants to find her a family that is as sweet as she is.

"She deserves a great home," Albinni said.

Already, at the hospital, they are fielding several offers of a home for Sugar.

References

• 11 Alive - July 7, 2007

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