A six-week-old black Labrador retriever in South Carolina is recovering after two teenagers allegedly shot the puppy 18 times with BB gun pellets.
De’Monte Ty’Juan Douglas, 17, along with a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, were charged with cruelty to animals.
The puppy, named Brody, was taken to Ebenezer Animal Hospital on Feb. 21 by police after being found at an apartment complex in Rock Hill, S.C. where both the males reside.
Brody is reported to be recovering well, but is on pain medication.
“We find BBs in dogs all the time, and they generally don’t cause a big issue. They’re a nerf: they’re not moving, they’re not puncturing organs or making him overly uncomfortable,” Dr. Jay Hreiz told WCNC News.
According to KMOV News, the mother of Douglas, Laquita Stover, believes her son is innocent, saying he is well-behaved and gets good grades.
Stoner also told KMOV her son had approached her earlier the same day Brody was found, cuddling the puppy in his arms and asking if he could keep the dog, but Stoner had told her son no.
If Douglas is convicted, he could face between six months to five years in jail.
Since the incident, there have been hundreds of applicants looking to adopt the Labrador.
“It’s just been an overwhelming amount of support for him. And you know it was a very sad beginning but I think it’s going to be a very happy ending for him,” Hreiz told WCNC. “I’m glad that something heinous that was done like this is being drowned out by all the support we’re having.”
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