The PSPCA’s Law Enforcement team is searching for the suspect or suspects responsible for shooting a dog in the head in Southwest Philadelphia last month.
A Good Samaritan found the dog near Crane Street near the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 20, 2024, and took the dog to PASE Animal Hospital where it was confirmed that the dog had a gunshot in the head above his left eye, the Pennsylvania SPCA said in a news release sent on Monday, Dec. 2.
Due to the size of the wound, and the damage left behind, the PSPCA suspects that the dog, who they named Maverick, was shot at close range. He had to undergo intensive surgery that lasted about an hour.
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“Maverick, who was in critical condition upon arrival at PASE, has been left with a head tilt, a delayed gait of his right hind end, and trauma to his left forebrain. His left eye is no longer functioning, and will likely be removed,” the PSPCA said in a statement.
Maverick is believed to be 1 or 2 years old.
Despite his injuries, the PSPCA said he is doing well and is stable under the care of the veterinary team at the SPCA’s Main Line Animal Rescue site.
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“So far he’s really shown how resilient he is and how strong he is," Dr. Alicia Royer, Shelter Vet. Mainline Animal Rescue said.
At Main Line they specialize in working with cruelty cases and help hundreds of animals each year.
"We’ve seen about 12, 13 type cases like this, but this is probably the worst case we saw,” Lisa Maggio, Sight Director Mainline Animal Rescue said.
The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team has taken over both the investigation and the care of the dog.
“This act of cruelty is especially heartless,” said Julie Klim, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “It seems clear from Maverick’s injuries that the responsible party intended to kill this sweet dog. But, miraculously, Maverick survived. We at the Pennsylvania SPCA are going to do everything we can to not only find those responsible, but importantly, give Maverick the best life – where he will never again be subjected to such horrific cruelty.”
Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of those responsible is asked to please contact the organization’s cruelty hotline immediately, 866-601-7722 or cruelty@pspca.org. Tips can be left anonymously.
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