Our sweet dog, Rival, was brutally shot three times while simply using the bathroom in our fenced-in backyard.

This was not out on a walk, not off the property, he was safe at home in the back yard in Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota. And yet, someone still chose to shoot him.

Two of the bullets grazed his neck, leaving large, painful wounds. The third shot was devastating—it went through his lower jaw, shattering his jawbone and destroying his lower teeth.

Rival was rushed to the emergency vet, where he was immediately taken into surgery. The damage was so severe that doctors had to remove part of his lower left jaw. Moving forward, Rival will require some pretty major care to help him recover.

The cost of saving his life is overwhelming, his emergency surgery alone was $13,000.

This has been incredibly heartbreaking and we are still trying to process how something like this could happen to such a sweet boy in his own backyard. A police report has been filed, and we are hoping for answers and justice.

Rival is more than a pet, he is family. He didn’t deserve this pain, and we are doing everything we can to give him the chance to heal and live a happy life.

If you’re able to donate, no amount is too small. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing Rivals story. Your support means everything to us during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you for helping fight for Rival.