A dog that was apparently shot in the face went into surgery at a Shippensburg-area veterinary clinic, and Humane Society officer Dennis Bumbaugh of the Better Days Animal League shelter is trying to find the dog’s owner.

The dog was running at large in the Cleversburg area when a resident enticed the dog into an outside kennel so Bumbaugh could pick the dog up.

(Photo's courtesy of Better Days Animal League)

The dog looks to be a mixture of shepherd and retriever, Bumbaugh said, and is 2 to 3 feet tall and about 65 pounds. He is an intact male, black, with longer hair.  “He’s a pretty big boy,” Bumbaugh said.

The friendly dog is also a very sociable and well-behaved dog. Bumbaugh was afraid the dog’s injuries were life-threatening, because one wound on the dog’s head provided a direct view into the animal’s throat.

Despite the wound, when Bumbaugh held open the door to his vehicle and said to the dog, “Come on, buddy, let’s go for a ride,” the dog climbed in and sprawled on the seat.

At the veterinary clinic, Bumbaugh sat down, and the dog put its paws on his lap.

Bumbaugh said he couldn’t bear the thought of having the dog euthanized if the animal could have a good quality of life after the injuries were dealt with.

Veterinary x-rays did not find a bullet in the dog’s muzzle, but there were traces of buckshot in the dog’s abdomen.

Bumbaugh is also concerned about meeting the bill for the surgery, since the shelter he runs is nonprofit.

Anyone with information about the dog or the dog’s owner should contact Bumbaugh at Better Days Animal League, 12310 Mongul Hill Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 or at the web site at http://www.betterdaysanimals.com or by the telephone at 717-532-3600.

Update 10/10/08:

After articles in the local newspapers, TV reports and even listings on Craigslist - we still have been unable to locate the owner of the dog now known as Justus.   He has however been adopted by the community and their outpouring of love has been wonderful and we thank you.

In the meantime Justus had to endure another emergency surgery. He came through and is back with us - doing well.

Reference:

The Sentinel

Better Days Animal League