Injured Dog Who Had Been Shot Twice & Covered in Blue Substance Found Living in Box

By Amanda Thomason June 16, 2018 at 9:21am

With as many dogs as there are in the world, it’s common for them to get into predicaments. Dogs get lost, they get sick, and they can make easy targets for people with quiet consciences.

On Thursday, Pupz N Palz rescue in Modesto, California, received a disconcerting request. Sure, they get owner surrenders, but this one was a little different.

The reason that “Daddy” — a small, white Chihuahua mix — was being surrendered was that his injuries were beyond the financial abilities of the family who owned him.

There’s no shame in admitting when something is beyond your means, but there’s a lot of shame in what someone did to this poor critter.

The owners had found their dog dragging his back legs, with wounds on his back half. The back half of him was also dyed a vibrant blue color.

While the owners weren’t quite sure what had happened to their dog, they suspected he’d either been beaten or hit by a car and then spray-painted.

After he had already endured all that, he’d been found stuffed in a cardboard box and tucked away under an overpass. By the time someone noticed him, the box was filled with water and he was in a sorry state.

Fortunately, the rescue was able to assist the dog, who they renamed “Trooper.” A vet exam revealed the paralyzed dog’s story.

Someone had shot at him. One metal pellet was lodged in his leg and one in his spine, which is why he’d lost the use of his back legs. The vet also discovered that he had some pretty severe older wounds.

Having expended most of their funds at the time, Pupz N Palz put out a plea for funds on social media. They knew surgery would cost them a pretty penny, and they leaned on their supporters for the money they so desperately needed.

The vet was able to remove one of the pellets, but the one near Trooper’s spine was in such a dangerous spot to surgically remove that they decided it would be safest to leave it where it was.

They also eventually identified the bright color on Trooper’s back half that made him look dip-dyed: it was a horse medication from a feed store.

While Trooper may not be able to walk again on his own, he is now in the hands of caring people who will make sure he has a better shot at life.

A set of wheels is in Trooper’s future, so the rescue is still taking donations — but thankfully this pup seems to be on the mend!

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