WATSONVILLE — A dog shot in the chest last month is recovering and in need of a new home.
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter took on the care of the dog, Oso, after Watsonville police were called out to a Dec. 27 shooting on the Pajaro River levee. Officers found the year-and-a-half-old German shepherd mix suffering from a gunshot injury and carried him out for emergency veterinary surgery.
A Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter X-ray image shows where a bullet was lodged in the body of a German shepherd named Oso. The bullet entered at the front of Oso’s shoulder and shattered his large humerus bone, resulting in the amputation of his right front leg. (Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter — Contributed)
According to a release from the Animal Shelter, Oso was shot when he went to investigate an unknown person outside his owner’s tent, becoming “the victim of a senseless act of violence.” The round entered the dog’s shoulder and shattered his large humerus bone, leading his care team to amputate his right front leg in a lengthy surgery late last month. His future owner will be tasked with overseeing continued gentle rehabilitation and medical and physical support.
“Because the treatment was extensive and the recovery process would be long, his owners, who are unsheltered, surrendered him to SCCAS,” shelter General Manager Amber Rowland wrote in a release.
Oso’s resilient and reserved response to his ordeal has led shelter staff to judge him as likely having “a mild, friendly, somewhat stoic personality.” His former owners credited Oso with potentially having saved their lives and told shelter staff that he lived well with other dogs in the encampment setting and was not known as a problem dog in the community.
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“Front leg amputation in a large dog requires significant re-strengthening and re-conditioning of the remaining front leg and spine. Most of that comes naturally through regular walking and movement, but he’ll need a gradual return to regular activities as he recovers. Because of the strain on his remaining front (leg) he may tire easily, he can’t be expected to climb or descend many stairs, and he’ll need lifelong joint support like staying lean, joint supplements and physical support or lifting for some activities, like getting in and out of the car,” shelter veterinarian Dr. Maris Brenn-White was quoted in the release. “Arthritis may develop prematurely, so regular vet care will be essential and some pain control will likely be needed down the road. Our team will provide information and guidance, but his new home will need to be ready to provide the extra support and care he’ll need.”
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is seeking a new home for Oso, a young German shepherd. He is recovering from a gunshot wound that resulted in his front leg’s amputation last month. (Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter — Contributed)
Potential adopters may visit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St., Live Oak to fill out an application, talk with staff and potentially meet Oso. More information also is available at scanimalshelter.org or by calling 831-454-7200.
Watsonville police investigators are asking anyone with information related to the shooters to call detective Juan Castillo at 831-768-3358, referencing case number 23W-04457
