Update on DC Dog Shot Between Eyes Tugs at the Heartstrings

A young Pit Bull mix named Louisa is expected to make a full recovery after being brutally shot between the eyes after she escaped from her home in DC last week. Authorities are searching for the person who committed this act of cruelty, and the local Humane Rescue Alliance is even offering a five thousand dollar reward.

The young tan-and-white Pit Bull mix, named Louisa, strayed from her home in Washington DC last Wednesday. She was gone for two days and when she returned, her owners noticed that her neck was swollen and she seemed to be having trouble breathing.

A Miracle

They took the dog to the vet where it was determined that she had been shot. At this point animal welfare services got involved and were able to transfer the canine to an animal hospital for more extensive diagnostics and treatment.

There, they discovered the shocking truth.

At some point in her absence, poor Louisa had been shot right between the eyes. The veterinarians think the bullet grazed her tongue, went through her throat and then ended up in her neck. In the process it caused multiple facial fractures and the swelling of her throat.

Fortunately, veterinarians were ale to remove the bullet without surgery and the poor dog is expected to make a full recovery in time.

Animal Cruelty

Now, officials are searching for the person responsible.

“It is miraculous that this dog was able to survive a gunshot wound to the face without suffering a more serious injury,” said Chris Schindler, Senior Vice President of Animal Welfare, Field Response and Rescue at the Humane Rescue Alliance. “We are determined to find out who is responsible for this act of alleged animal cruelty, and we need the community’s help.”

The sad fact is that as a stray, Louisa was in danger of being mistaken for a dangerous dog as she wandered onto other people’s property, and far too many folks these days take a “shoot first” policy when it comes to trespassing—a concept that dogs cannot possibly understand.

A Danger For Dogs Roaming Free

It is impossible to know what happened to Louisa or what she got up to in her two days wandering loose on the city streets, but that is why it’s important not to let your dog wander around unleashed and unsupervised. Not only could they be a danger to other people, but there are many dangerous and deadly situations awaiting her as well, from poisons rodent traps to traffic and people who are far too trigger happy when it comes to other living things.

For example, one of the most common shooting victims in situations where a police officer discharges their firearms is a dog. Fifty percent of all police shooting incidents involve a dog, and the Justice Department once estimated that police officers in this country shoot over twenty dogs a day.

We hope for a swift recovery for this dog, and we also hope that her family takes stronger precautions next time to keep her from running away. She was extraordinarily lucky. Let’s not risk it again.

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