A pit bull named Karma is on the mend after being discovered with a life-threatening gunshot wound and other serious injuries in Lauderhill, Florida. According to WSVN, the dog was found abandoned at a local fire department in January before being treated by I Heart Animal Rescue. Karma underwent three surgeries to repair the damage from the gunshot wound underneath her mouth and to treat a severe infection and starvation.
Rescuer Cindy Mucciaccio detailed the extent of Karma's injuries in an interview with WSVN, saying “You can see the hole here, she was shot right here. Somebody probably went like this. Can you imagine?” Mucciaccio also described how Karma was also emaciated to the point of starvation when found; the dog had to be taken to the hospital where they discovered a very bad infection known as parametria, she was then hospitalized the next day, and during her subsequent medical care they found bullet fragments inside her that were bursting inside. Despite multiple surgeries including a graft to repair a hole in her mouth, Karma's recovery continues.
According to CBS Miami, Karma's fortunes began to turn when Jessie Paige stepped in as a foster parent. Paige has been overseeing her recovery and has grown attached, stating, "I’m happy that she’s alive. I named her Karma for a reason, so I’m hoping, since we didn’t find who shot her, I’m hoping they got what was coming to them." Paige later noted, "She's a happy, playful dog... She loves men and toys... If I'm being honest, I don't think she's going anywhere," indicating that Karma's foster home might become her permanent residence.
The Brady Hunter Foundation stepped in to fund one of Karma's surgeries, aimed at fixing the gunshot wound that had left an opening in her palate as well as to remove the shrapnel from her head. Paige Bresky of the foundation expressed concern about the increasing number of such violent incidents involving animals, lamenting that "Each and every case we hear about is more and more gut-wrenching than that last one. Unfortunately, this is becoming way too prevalent,” further appealing to the public's conscience to combat the disturbing trend of animal cruelty. I Heart Animal Rescue has shouldered over $25,000 in veterinary bills in the past month alone and they are asking for donations and foster volunteers to assist with Karma's ongoing treatments and others like her, as reported by CBS Miami.
No suspects have been identified responsible for shooting Karma or leaving her at the fire department, and law enforcement's investigation into the incident remains unresolved. Those interested in supporting Karma's recovery or in providing assistance to similar cases can visit I Heart Animal Rescue's website for more information or to contribute.
