It is hard to believe that such cruelty could happen to an innocent animal, but unfortunately, there are individuals who are capable of causing unimaginable harm.
Hayden Howard’s dog, Jackson, an English Mastiff, fell victim to such a horrific act. While this may sound like a story too disturbing to be true, the reality of what Jackson endured is nothing short of shocking.
What appeared to be insect bites on his body quickly turned out to be much worse – a series of gunshot wounds that would have scared anyone. This story highlights not only the importance of protecting animals but also how some people should never be trusted to care for them.
Sadly, there are too many individuals who should never be allowed to own or interact with animals.
A few years ago, Hayden Howard noticed that her dog wasn’t feeling well. While she was inside, her English Mastiff, Jackson, was playing in the backyard. When she called him, he looked like he was covered in bug bites.
However, upon closer inspection, she discovered something much more disturbing.
Jackson was found to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
“I was completely blown away. I didn’t know what to think,” Hayden shared with WXIN.
She realized what had happened and immediately rushed Jackson to the vet. Upon further examination, the vet found numerous small rounds fired from a BB gun.
“He had one stuck under his eyelid, one in his ear, one in his knee — there were bullets everywhere,” Hayden said.
The vet had to shave off most of Jackson’s fur to remove the plastic bullets, removing a total of 27 bullets in the process. However, there were 20 other gunshot wounds that could not be treated at the time.
In total, Jackson was shot nearly 70 times.
“I’ve never seen an animal shot so many times,” said Deputy Chief Craig Hayes of the Seymour Police Department. “It’s a terrible case and it’s heartbreaking to witness.”
It is incomprehensible how anyone could do such a thing to a defenseless animal, especially one that has never harmed anyone.
Police began searching for the person believed to be responsible for the shooting, suspecting that the shooter might be in a neighbor’s yard. They soon discovered that a rifle was hidden in the suspect’s home along with ammunition a BB gun and shotgun shells. Officers also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
I truly hope that the perpetrator receives a long prison sentence and faces the full consequences of his actions. After serving time, they should never be allowed near animals again.
Fortunately, despite the trauma he endured, Jackson is recovering well.
Although BBs and pellets are often referred to as “toys” or “fakes,” they are real weapons that can cause injury. Any crime committed with a BB or pellet gun should be considered a serious crime and those responsible for using them against innocent beings should be held accountable.
I hope Jackson continues to heal and can enjoy playing in his backyard again.
In conclusion, the terrifying case of Jackson the dog serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that some individuals are capable of inflicting on animals. It’s hard to fathom the amount of hurt and suffering Jackson endured, all for nothing more than the malicious actions of another. As the investigation continues, I hope that justice will be served and that the perpetrator will face the full legal consequences for his actions.
Additionally, this incident underscores the importance of recognizing BBs and pellets as dangerous weapons, not toys. I sincerely wish that Jackson continues to recover and that all animals are treated with the care, respect, and protection they deserve.