Buddy the dog dies of heart complications

A dog who was gravely injured after being shot in the face earlier this week has passed away.

Dr. Rod Jouppi, a veterinarian with the Walden Animal Hospital, confirmed the German Shepherd, named “Buddy,” died during the afternoon of March 9 due to “heart complications.”

“We could not revive him,” he said. “As you can imagine, everybody is pretty devastated. He's been a big part of what we've been doing for the last couple of days.”

A resident had found the dog near Markstay March 6, and brought him into the Walden Animal Hospital.

Jouppi said Buddy had been shot twice at close range in the face and head area with a shotgun, destroying blood vessels, nerves, glands and several teeth. He also had pellets embedded throughout his body. His staff worked to tend to the dog's injuries.

“He had pretty massive injuries, but he seemed to be surviving quite well,” he said.

Buddy was a great dog, Jouppi said.

“He was very friendly,” he said. “He certainly didn't begrudge the human race for what had happened to him. He was not fearful whatsoever. He was quite keen to have people pay attention to him. He was just a very wonderful dog that way.”

Jouppi said he doesn't think the dog was shot by accident. “It was quite purposeful,” he said. “I'm sure the person meant to kill the dog.”

The shooting is under investigation by the Ontario SPCA.

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Buddy,” Alison Cross, a spokesperson for the OSPCA, told Northern Life, March 9. “Along with the community, we we're hoping Buddy would pull through his ordeal. We are continuing to work with the Police on this investigation and will update the public as we have information to share.”

The group also asks that anyone with information about the situation to contact the OSPCA.

If a person is charged under the Ontario SPCA Act, they could face a maximum fine of $60,000, up to two years in jail and a lifetime ban of owning any animals. A person could also be charged under the Criminal Code, where it needs to be determined the person caused wilful harm to the animal.

Call the OSPCA at 1-888-668-7722, or visit the organization's website at ontariospca.ca.

Posted by Mark Gentili