Unfortunately, there are individuals who should never be allowed near animals, and Hayden Howard discovered this harsh reality a few years ago when her dog, Jackson, an English Mastiff, suddenly became unwell. Jackson had been playing in the backyard when Hayden noticed something alarming. At first glance, she thought he was covered in bug bites, but the reality was far more horrifying.

Upon closer inspection, Hayden realized that Jackson wasn’t suffering from insect bites—he had been shot multiple times. In a state of shock, she immediately rushed Jackson to the veterinarian, where the full extent of his injuries was revealed.

The vet found numerous small bullets embedded in Jackson’s body, fired from a BB gun. “There was one stuck under his eyelid, one in his ear, one in his knee—they were everywhere,” Hayden recounted. To remove the plastic shells, Jackson’s fur had to be almost entirely shaved. The veterinarian managed to extract 27 bullets but had to leave 20 more in place. Overall, Jackson had sustained nearly 70 gunshot wounds.

Assistant Chief Craig Hayes of the Seymour Police Department expressed his disbelief: “I have never seen an animal shot that many times. It’s a very bad case, and it’s sad to see.”

The idea that someone could inflict such pain on a defenseless dog is beyond comprehension, especially when the dog had done nothing to provoke such cruelty. The police launched an investigation to track down the perpetrator, suspected to be in a neighboring yard.

Their investigation quickly led them to a nearby residence where they discovered a BB gun, pellets, a rifle, and some ammunition. Additionally, the authorities found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the suspect’s home, as reported by the Daily Mail.

It is my sincere hope that the person responsible for this heinous act receives a lengthy prison sentence and is held fully accountable for their actions. In my opinion, they should never be allowed near an animal again.

Despite the severe trauma, Hayden reports that Jackson is recovering well. His resilience is a testament to the strength and spirit of animals, even in the face of unimaginable cruelty.

This incident serves as a stark reminder that BB and pellet guns, often mislabeled as “toys” or “fake” weapons, have the potential to cause serious harm. Crimes committed with these weapons should be treated with the severity they deserve, and those who use them against innocent beings should face appropriate legal consequences.

I sincerely wish Jackson a full and speedy recovery, and hope that one day soon, he can return to playing happily in his backyard without fear.