A Horrific Encounter: A Dog’s Tragic Ordeal with a BB Gun
There are countless reasons why certain individuals should never be allowed near animals, and this story is a heartbreaking example. A few years ago, Hayden Howard experienced a nightmare when she discovered that her beloved English Mastiff, Jackson, was far from okay.
It all started one seemingly ordinary day when Jackson was playing in the backyard. When Hayden called him inside, she noticed what appeared to be bug bites covering his body. But as she took a closer look, her heart sank—this was no simple case of insect bites. Jackson had been shot multiple times.
“I was completely shocked, I didn’t know what to think,” Hayden shared with WXIN. The realization that her dog had been shot was overwhelming, and she knew she had to act fast. Hayden rushed Jackson to the vet, where the full extent of his injuries was revealed.
The veterinarian’s examination uncovered a horrifying truth—Jackson’s body was riddled with small bullets fired from a BB gun. “There was one stuck under his eyelid, one in his ear, one in his knee, they were everywhere,” Hayden recounted. The vet had to shave almost all of Jackson’s fur to remove the many plastic shells embedded in his skin. In total, 27 bullets were extracted, but 20 rounds had to be left inside, as they were too risky to remove.
Even more disturbing was the discovery of 20 additional bullet wounds scattered across Jackson’s small frame. In total, Jackson had endured nearly 70 gunshot wounds.
Assistant Chief Craig Hayes of the Seymour Police Department expressed his shock at the severity of the case, stating, “I have never seen an animal shot that many times. It’s a very bad case and it’s sad to see.”
It’s difficult to comprehend how anyone could inflict such cruelty on a dog, especially one that had never caused harm to anyone. The police quickly turned their attention to a suspect believed to be responsible for the shooting. Their investigation led them to a neighboring yard, where they uncovered a rifle hidden inside a house, along with ammunition. To make matters worse, the police also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, alongside the BB gun and pellets.
The individual responsible for this heinous act needs to face the consequences. It is my sincere hope that they receive a lengthy prison sentence and are held accountable for their actions. Moreover, I firmly believe that anyone capable of such cruelty should never be allowed near an animal again.
Despite the significant trauma Jackson endured, Hayden reports that he is healing well. His resilience is remarkable, but it’s a tragedy that he had to suffer in the first place.
It’s important to recognize that BB and pellet guns, often referred to as “toys” or “fake” by some news outlets, are real weapons with the potential to cause serious harm. When a crime is committed with one of these guns, it should be treated as such. The individuals who use them to harm innocent beings must face appropriate legal consequences.
As Jackson continues his recovery, we can only hope that he will once again find joy playing in his backyard, free from fear and pain.
