Dog shot with BB gun
Echo, AL (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008
County: Dale

Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

An Echo farmer called Save-a-Pet to rescue an injured dog that was found roaming around off County Road 67. The dog is suffering from a lesion on his head and several pellet wounds on his legs, and its a big mystery of who did this.

"It was pitiful looking and shaking when I brought it in here, it had obviously been, we believe shot with a BB gun. there were several marking on its head, fortunately the pellet did not puncture the skull." Says Marcella West, a Save-A-Pet Volunteer.

It's a disturbing sight to see- this nameless lab-pit-bull mix was found wandering on a farm, injured in Echo.

Farmers found the dog barely surviving, nibbling on catfish food for nourishment, and then called save a pet to the rescue.

A veterinarian at Banfield animal hospital in Dothan says it appears the dog was shot with a BB gun.

Its hard for animal lovers, like Marcella to believe anyone would do such a thing to an animal.

"This happens often. some people do not want the dog, so they leave it alone in the country so they have to fend for themselves and its pitiful." Says West.

Save-A-Pet is going to file a report with the dale county sheriff's dept. Other local officials say anyone caught abusing an animal can face serious penalties.

"If you are convicted to cruelty- abusing an animal, you can be sentenced for up to one year in jail and a 2 thousand dollar fine." Says Sgt. Brian Smith of the Dothan Police Department

And if one is caught abusing an animal, law enforcement will take the issue seriously.

"Animals are not able to take care of themselves, they are also not able to report their own injuries, so its up to the humans to take care of them.” Says Sgt. Smith

The farmer who discovered the dog did not wish to comment, but he did say there was a tag on the dog with a phone number.
He and Save-A-Pet Volunteers have tried to contact the original owners, but so far have been unsuccessful.

If the owners are not contacted soon and do not want their dog back, the animal will need a home.

If you are interested you can call Save-A-Pet at 792-6654.

References

• « AL State Animal Cruelty Map

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