A Gastonia police officer has been credited with saving the life of a wounded pet dog, named Paco, after a shooting incident. The department reported that officer Matthew Whisnant responded to a call on Wednesday where he found the injured pit bull, whose hind leg was shot, according to WBTV.
As the predicament unfolded, a witness, who heard the gunshot, quickly alerted the authorities, leading to Whisnant's arrival at the scene where he discovered the dog and immediately took steps to stop the bleeding and transport Paco to a local clinic, the officer recounted in a video released by the Gastonia Police on social media. Whisnant's efforts are detailed further in a report by WCNC, wherein he described how he held a towel to the animal's wound and suspected the dog had lost consciousness.
A neighbor, Patricia Starling, who witnessed the shooting's aftermath, initially attempted to comfort the dog and then noticed Paco bleeding, as per a WSOCTV interview; her interaction with the animal was harrowing yet tender, even as she recounted the crucial moments waiting for help to arrive and the evident sense of urgency that surrounded the effort to save the dog’s life.
Whisnant, who described the situation as "heartbreaking," was moved by Paco's gentleness despite the injury, and together with Sterling's assistance, ensured that veterinary staff were ready to treat the animal the moment they reached the clinic, which was a mere five blocks away. Whisnant's belief that "Saving lives is our very first priority," in a statement obtained by WSOCTV. Following Paco's recovery, his family credited Whisnant with saving their dog, who returned home healthy two days later.
