Police appeal after dog shot in face with pellet gun

The female lurcher was found at the side of a road in Fife with injuries to her face and hind leg.

STV News

10th Feb 2021

A dog has been shot in the face with a pellet gun in Fife.

A member of the public found the female lurcher dog at the side of the A823 on Friday at around 11pm, heading towards Dunfermline recycling centre and handed her in to the Inglis Veterinary Centre.

The dog had a large wound to her hind leg as well as injuries to the face and it was originally believed she had been a victim of a road traffic accident.

However, on X-raying the dog, veterinary staff were shocked to discover she had been shot.

Scottish SPCA inspector Stephanie Ross said: “We were astonished to hear the vet had found a pellet in the dog’s face when she was X-rayed.

“We dread to think what would have happened to this poor dog if the member of the public hadn’t spotted her.

“She is currently receiving the rehabilitation she needs at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.

“We are working closely with Police Scotland to establish the circumstances around the dog’s injuries due to the use of a firearm in the incident.”

Inspector Stephen Kay from Fife Police Division said: “We are working jointly with the Scottish SPCA to understand what has happened to this dog. However, the results from the X-ray are very concerning.

“The use of a weapon and violence on an animal is wholly unacceptable and we would ask for the public’s support in identifying and tracing the person or persons responsible for this act.”