WOODWARD TOWNSHIP -- A one year old pit bull from Lycoming County is recovering after he was shot in the face and permanently blinded. Newswatch 16 was there as the family was reunited with their pup.
It was quite an emotional moment for the family from the Salladasburg area but also for the pit bull who has been through so much pain after he ran away earlier this month.
Cristie Hill can breathe a sigh of relief and so can her one year old pit bull, Camo.
Nearly a month after the dog escaped through an open door at his home near Salladasburg Newswatch 16 was there when Cristie and her son Michael Grubb were reunited with their dog.
"I'm very happy and ready to take him home," said Michael Grubb.
Things will be different for the family. Camo just had surgery to remove his eyes at Lewis Veterinary Clinic near Linden. Veterinarian Dr. Rachel Teribury believes Camo was shot with a small game shotgun, once in the face and once from behind.
"So with the shotgun you have many pellets that come out and spray so this is one shot that released all of these pellets," said Dr. Rachel Teribury.
"I'm hurt for the dog but I’m angry somebody could do this. To look him in the face and do this. I can't" said Bonnie Snyder from Bellabon’s Pet Recovery.
After Camo ran away about three weeks ago Cristie reached out to Bonnie Snyder from Bellabon's Pet Recovery Service. Snyder made flyers to help find Camo.
Over two weeks after the flyers were posted the family finally got the call. Someone found Camo on their property here near Salladasburg, but he was hurt.
"He was in a tremendous amount of pain and so we took some x-rays and did some diagnostics and found out he had been shot," said Dr. Teribury.
Veterinarians believe the dog was shot a week before he was found and may not have been able to find his way home. Now that the family has their dog back.
"I'm just hoping to find the person that did this. Either find the person or he will come forward and let us know," said Cristie Hill.
The vet says Camo should do well adjusting but may need long term care as a result of being shot. A gofundme account has been created to help with Camo's care.