This starving abandoned pup was found with a bullet hole in his head (VIDEO)

This dog was first nearly starved to death by its owner and then shot in the head and abandoned in pain. Luckily, the pup was found by a kindhearted man who saved his life. Named Bandit by its rescuer, this miraculous survivor-pooch is now recovering in a local shelter.

'Too weak to stand'

A man in Mahoning County, Ohio, US contacted the Youngstown Police Department after he found injured Bandit hiding in his shed. The animal was emaciated, with ribs protruding through its skin, dehydrated, and terrified. He was 'too weak to stand' and weighed only around 35 pounds.

To the horror of the pup’s rescuer, Bandit also had a days-old bullet hole in his head.

The police picked him up and contacted Friends of Fido, Mahoning County Dog Pound, who took him under their care.

The charity wrote on Facebook:

He is too weak to stand. I am amazed at how gentle he took that food after nearly starving to death….before someone shot him. He has to make it.

On the road to recovery

Bandit was checked by the vet and given IV fluids. He was also treated for infection.

His wound was found to be several days old and it looked like the bullet went through the soft tissue on the back of the dog's head and out the side of the neck.

Despite his deadly injury, the pup responded well to care at the hospital and showed considerable improvement. The vets have been keeping him on medications throughout the days and feeding him small, frequent meals. He had some short walks outside, the shelter volunteers kept him ‘tucked in’ in the nights.

Sadly, later on Bandit tested positive for Lyme disease and was found to have more bullet fragments in his head that will likely need removing in the future. He was also diagnosed with Nystagmus caused by nerve swelling that left him with involuntary eye movements. The conditions is resolving with treatments.

Police are investigating the case.

Sources used:

- Meaww: ‘Bandit’ the rescue dog from Ohio found with a days-old bullet wound in the head is on road to recovery

- Newsweek: 'Dog Found in Stranger's Shed With Days-Old Bullet Hole in Head'

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