Volunteer trappers catch stray dog shot in Denver, on the run for 4 months

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A dog that was reportedly shot in the face and on the run for four months was captured by volunteer trappers to get needed medical attention.

Karlee Arguello and Sarah Luv-Garcia are volunteer trappers who primarily catch cats around the Denver area.

“We have a pretty big following on Facebook because of the work we do in the animal community. Everybody tags us for everything but this just really hit the fan. A dog being shot in the face. It spread like wildfire,” said Luv-Garcia.

Denver Animal Protection asked for the community’s help on Friday in finding a stray Australian Shepherd mix that has been on the run since April near Alameda and Tejon. Officers were notified on Thursday by a neighbor that they heard gunshots and then saw a dog with a face injury.

“We just really wanted to get the dog. I mean, hearing an animal get shot in the face, it’s gut-wrenching, for any animal to be out there alive and suffering,” said Luv-Garcia.

DAP says it received dozens of calls about the dog, with several attempts at catching him. But, after setting up a trap and hotdog trail in a yard the dog frequented, the volunteer trappers were able to get him on Saturday night.

“In trapping, it’s not just you show up and you have a big net. The first thing when we got inside the trap and reassured him and talked to him and just made him feel safe, we weren’t there to hurt him. Our attention went straight on the injury,” said Luv-Garcia.

The dog was picked up by DAP and taken to an emergency vet. Officials updated FOX31 on Sunday night that the dog had a two-centimeter wound on the outer part of his face, as well as a large wound inside his mouth. Several teeth were fractured and removed, but he was “bright and alert” Sunday morning.

“We cried … I’m getting emotional every time but you have this drive and this adrenaline … You want to save because you’re so desperate, you don’t know how much longer that animal has,” said Luv-Garcia.

There is no updated information as of Sunday night as to who may have shot the dog.

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