Action for Ace

This sweet friendly boy Ace was the victim of a horrific close range shotgun blast to his face on the evening of November 1st. Ace didn't know he was supposed to stay in his owner's yard because he had been allowed to wander loose as he pleased. He had been picked up by Animal Control multiple times because he frequently visited other houses in the area and he was not welcomed there, but unfortunately, he was still allowed to run loose. Ace returned to his home Thursday bleeding profusely from the huge hole blasted into his face. Although the owner had her suspicions, there is no way to know who shot Ace. He traveled along country roads and through the woods with no witnesses around. We do know, however, that only a cold evil person would deliberately shoot Ace and cause his horrible injury. The shooter didn't care about the unimaginable pain Ace experienced as he ran home. The 40 degree rain coupled with the pain and shock of the incident made Ace a trembling bloody mess as he waited outside his house for someone to ease his pain, shelter him from the cold rain and save his life. 

Without funds for emergency vetting nor a place to properly house Ace, the owner surrendered him to me so I could rush him to the vet that night to try to save his life. I couldn't let him die a slow agonizing death in horrible pain while the blood dripped from his face. I couldn't allow him to be chained outside in the frigid rain. I most certainly couldn't sleep imagining the pain he felt. I work daily with abandoned homeless animals and see the pain in their eyes caused by fear. I provide a home for special needs and hospice dogs with the love and special care they need. I'm an advocate for animals and their welfare, especially dogs labeled as "Pit Bulls" because they are unfairly judged by their looks and the fear society has spread through ignorance.

I called Dr. Labhart and explained the emergency situation and he met us at his office at Perry County Animal Hospital. Pellets from the gunshot entered the right side of Ace's face creating a large hole, tearing tissue inside his mouth from his palate and up into his nose and destroying several teeth on both the top and bottom of his mouth. Ace needed surgery to save his life and reconstruct his damaged face. Caring for Ace after surgery was crucial as infection was a great concern. Ace stayed the night in the hospital receiving IV fluids and antibiotics.

On November 2nd Ace underwent 3 hours of surgery. The shotgun blast was so close to his face the lead pellets actually exploded upon making contact with his bones and had to be scraped away from the bone in tiny pieces. The wound was cleaned and the remaining tissue inside was reattached to Ace's palate. All of the teeth on the top right side were removed sparing only one small molar. 

I brought Ace home November 3rd and post-op care began. He's on a soft diet, receives multiple pills several times a day and the wound through his flesh is cleaned daily to try to stave off infection. Ace will soon undergo another 3 hour surgery to remove more lead fragments and tooth remnants from the bottom of his mouth and to reconstruct that area as well.

None of this is Ace's fault! He had NO idea he was doing anything wrong! He is a sweet innocent dog that was victimized because he was allowed to run loose and because he looks scary to some. Ignorance and evil have caused so much pain for Ace as he is fighting to overcome his injuries. Take a stand against senseless violence!  Take a stand against animal abuse!  Take a stand against the ignorance that endangers thousands of Pit Bull type dogs around the world each day! Please donate to help fund the life saving surgeries Ace receives!