Dog News

Miracle Dog Survives Arrow Shooting. Now “Lucky David” Needs A Forever Home

by Amy Drew

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They’re calling him “Lucky David,” and lucky — now, at least — the dog certainly is. In fact, it’s nearly a miracle he’s even alive.

Two hikers found him in the woods on Monday with an arrow through his weak, suffering body. The vet who removed it believes it may have been there for more than a day. The good Samaritans carried him from the wilderness for nearly a mile on a stretcher and took him straight to the Ohio Valley Animal Clinic in Wellston.

“I thought for sure he was going to be almost dead or bleeding out or something like that,” Dr. Laura Perry told WSAZ. “His name really suits him.”

The hikers’ names were David and Esther. Since the pup is male, staffers chose his name. The “lucky” part was obvious to everyone.

After taking X-rays, Perry said the razor-sharp arrow went through the dog’s shoulder blades and through his spine, miraculously missing everything vital. Perry believes he will make a full recovery.

He is now convalescing at the Jackson County Dog Pound, enjoying lots of love and attention.

“You can see he’s a very sweet dog,” said Deb Fout, Jackson County Dog Warden. Trusting, too. Even in the wake of his injuries. “You have to wonder what kind of life did he have prior to this,” Fout said.

Fout believes a hunter likely got mad at the dog for scaring off a deer and shot him.

“This thing right here is razor sharp,” said Fout, showing WSAZ the arrow that was removed from the dog’s torso.

His medical bills, naturally, have added up quickly and the pound isn’t flush with cash. Dog-tag sales and donations are their only funding sources.

The $400 in vet bills for X-rays and the first round of Lucky David’s antibiotics were paid for by the community. People have also been stopping by with food and toy donations.

“If we don’t have people who care then we don’t have the money to help,” Hughes said.

The next task will be finding Lucky David a forever home.

“We’re hoping to find a rescue to take him or possibly a really good home,” Fout said. “We’re going to be really picky where he goes.”

In the meantime, he’s getting plenty of love while he convalesces.

“This isn’t our job,” Fout said. “This is our life. This is who we are. This is what we do.”

Based on his condition, rescuers believe L.D. was either a stray or a neglected pet before the arrow attack.

For more information about how you can help, visit the pound’s website or Facebook page.