Stray dog who was shot in face, on the loose for months finally safe thanks to rescuers

A stray dog in the Denver area eluded capture for months, resisting human help — and the situation took a drastic turn after the dog was shot in the face.

But one group of rescuers didn’t give up, and were determined to trap the skittish dog and get him the help he needed.

A stray Australian Shepherd was on the loose in south Denver for the past five months after escaping custody. While people reported sightings, the quick and skittish dog was unable to be caught. Locals were advised not to chase after him.

“This dog is very smart. He’s fast,” Jenna Humphreys, lead officer of Denver Animal Protection, told Denverite. “We do know that he’s able to jump really high fences.”

While the dog was able to survive on his own all this time, the situation took a grave turn after someone shot the poor dog in the face.

The injury raised the stakes, as officials feared that the dog’s gunshot wound would make it difficult to eat and survive.

But thankfully, the news reached local volunteer trappers Karlee Arguello and Sarah Luv-Garcia. “We have a pretty big following on Facebook because of the work we do in the animal community,” Sarah told KDVR. “Everybody tags us for everything but this just really hit the fan. A dog being shot in the face. It spread like wildfire.”

“We just really wanted to get the dog. I mean, hearing an animal get shot in the face, it’s gut-wrenching, for any animal to be out there alive and suffering.”

She told Denverite that their plan involved building a huge, yard-size trap behind the home of a woman who had frequently seen the dog. They then loaded it with a “smorgasbord” of food, including rotisserie chicken and cheese, and waited for him to take the bait.

On Saturday evening, the dog finally appeared and they sprung the trap. The trappers entered the cage, reassuring the dog that they meant no harm, and examined his wound.

The dog reportedly had a two-centimeter wound on the outside of his face and a large wound in his mouth. According to Denver Animal Protection, he is receiving medical care. For the two trappers, it was an emotional rescue.

“I cried. It’s very emotional, when you do something to help an animal that’s just been let down by another human,” Sarah told Denverite. “I saw how sweet he was. He was such a gentle dog that absolutely didn’t deserve that, and now he’s really safe.”

According to social media posts, the dog has been named “Solo Vino” by the neighbors who were looking out for him. There is no word on who shot the dog.

It’s unthinkable that anyone would shoot this beautiful dog, but we’re glad he was finally caught and is getting the help and attention he needs.

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