Dog ‘shot and left to suffer’ refused to give up in Ohio. ‘His heart is still beating’

The big floof is going to pull through and hopefully find a warm, loving home who deserves him.
The big floof is going to pull through and hopefully find a warm, loving home who deserves him.

A dog who was shot and left for dead is on the mend in Ohio after a very risky week.

Known as Bear — the ivory shaded Pyrenees — was brought to the Brown County Humane Society in Georgetown on Jan. 23, according to a Facebook post. He was suffering from a gunshot wound and a 107 degree fever.

A person commented on the post saying Bear normally just “free roams” in a friend’s parents’ neighborhood, and sometimes would be fed or let into the house when it’s storming.

“He is the sweetest dog I’ve ever known and a very frightful dog,” the person named Chloe Marshall said on Facebook.

On Jan. 31, the shelter posted an update on Bear’s condition (Warning: post contains graphic photos.)

“Someone shot Bear and left him to die. He had been suffering for days, his body ravaged by infection, and his fever soaring to a life-threatening 107 degrees. He was barely hanging on,” the shelter said.

“Rushed to Rolling Hills Vet Clinic, Bear was hospitalized, placed on IV antibiotics, and fought for his life. His condition was touch and go, but this brave boy refused to give up. And today, we finally have good news—BEAR WILL SURVIVE.”

The shelter didn’t say if a suspect has been named or if charges will be filed. According to Ohio law, if a pet suffers serious harm, it could be considered a felony and is punishable by $2,500 fine and up to a year in prison.

“Bear’s bullet wound couldn’t be removed—the damage was too severe,” the shelter said. “But his heart is still beating! And he’s going to be just fine.”

For updates on Bear follow the shelter’s Facebook page, and for information on other adoptable pets visit the shelter’s website.

Georgetown is about a 40-mile drive southeast from Cincinnati.

Aaron Moody is a sports and general reporter for the News & Observer. Here is a second sentence for the bio because it will probably be longer than this. Maybe even longer I don't know. Support my work with a digital subscription