NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A golden retriever that was shot after being abandoned in Hickman County is now recovering in Nashville thanks to the help of volunteers.
The dog, now named Sunny, was found earlier this week in Hickman County.
According to Adopt a Golden Nashville, witnesses saw the dog being dumped from a vehicle. People who live in the area tried to catch her, but as you can imagine, she was afraid.
The dog wandered onto someone's property and was shot. Thankfully, some children were able to wrangle her and get her some help.
The Hickman Humane Society got in touch with Adopt a Golden Nashville to get Sunny some much-needed help.
Sunny went into surgery Thursday night for her injuries from the shooting. The surgery was a success. Doctors were able to save her leg.
"The vet said she is in excellent condition, apart from being skinny and full of worms and ticks," said Sarah Zink from Adopt a Golden Nashville. "Her worst days are behind her. Everything is brighter and brighter going forward."
Sunny is expected to make a full recovery. She will remain at her foster home until she is ready to be adopted into a forever home.
There is currently no animal shelter or animal control officers in Hickman County. When an animal is found roaming or injured, volunteers have to respond to help.
Officials from nonprofit group Shelter Friends of Hickman County said they are seeing more neglected animals across the county, and that's why they are raising money to build the county's first animal shelter. In addition, a total of four dogs have been shot in the county this year.
"I don’t know if it’s the tail end of COVID, or where we are economically right now, but the number of pets dumped or neglected is astronomical right now," said Becki Bates, president of Shelter Friends of Hickman County.
Shelter Friends of Hickman County has already raised $80,000 and secured a location for the shelter, but Bates said fundraising will continue until the shelter is built. The county has agreed to hire an animal control officer and take over the operations of the shelter once it is built.
"Our county needs a structure, a shelter, where people can come and feel safe leaving their pet or adopting a pet," said Bates.
To make a donation to the future Hickman County animal shelter you can visit www.facebook.com/HickmanShelterFriends or /www.facebook.com/hickmanhumane. Checks can also be mailed to PO Box 111, Centerville, TN 37033-0111.
Adopt a Golden Nashville is also taking donations to go toward Sunny's vet bills. Click here if you'd like to donate.
