LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A one-year-old terrier mix is recovering from surgery in Lexington this weekend, after she was shot by someone with a shotgun in Lawrence County.
Her name is Angel, a fitting name for a dog who came close to death.
"She came here with wings," said Remy Simpson, president of Paws 4 The Cause, the non-profit animal rescue organization. "She's innocent, she's done no harm, and she brings with her love."
An x-ray shared with LEX 18 shows Angel's body riddled with pellets.
Simpson said she is expected to make a recovery, but the psychological wounds will likely linger.
"It will have a long-term effect on her," he said. "She will be frightened by loud noises, probably frightened of certain circumstances."
The organization has found a foster home for Angel, but she still needs a permanent home. But Simpson knows Angel won't be the last dog to come to him under these circumstances.
Last year, Kentucky was ranked as the worst state for animal protection laws, according to the annual U.S. Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report published by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
"I've never heard of an animal abuse charge where the person stayed in jail for more than 24 hours," Simpson remarked. "And that was in the most extreme of cases."
But Simpson does see hope ahead. Proposed legislation in the legislature would allow veterinarians to report animal abuse under their care, meaning dogs like Angel may not have to return to dangerous households.
"For some reason, dogs are able to forgive better than humans are," Simpson said. "So she'll bounce back and she'll be a really sweet dog for somebody."
