Puppy found with at least 12 pellet gun wounds on Vancouver Island

A 10-month-old puppy has been shot with a pellet gun in the Highlands district of Vancouver Island.

Police were contacted after the dog’s owners found him injured in their neighbour’s yard Wednesday morning.

The labrador named Ozzy was taken to the veterinary clinic and was confirmed to have been shot at least 12 times. He is now recovering from his injuries, but is doing OK.

Cst. John Varley with the West Shore RCMP told Global News they have no suspects at this point, but the person responsible could be facing criminal charges for animal cruelty and, possibly, improper use of a firearm.

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“Our greatest concern is that, while we can’t prove it, it seems that a dog shot once would have run away,” he said. “This one was shot 12 times. So we believe there was serious intent.”

Varley adds they suspect the dog could have been cornered or tied up.

“I was shocked that someone would stand there and shoot a dog at least 12 times,” Ozzy’s owner Lorne King said.

King says he hopes the suspect is apprehended.

“If someone is willing to shoot a dog 12 times, what if there are kids out there playing,” he said.

Police are calling it a “brazen attack” that not only left the puppy injured, but shook the whole community.

Anyone who knows what may have happened to Ozzy is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP or Crime Stoppers.