Pup Rescued With Bullet Wound In Head; Sanctuary Seeks Aid

TRABUCO CANYON, CA — A German Shepherd puppy that was found wandering the streets of Trabuco Canyon was rescued this week, alive despite a painfully traumatic injury.

Volunteers and good Samaritans in the community spent days trying to rescue the pup, named Oakley by rescuers, until they were finally able to safely trap him.

However, once the pup — starving and dehydrated — was brought to the vet, Oakley's injuries were worse than anyone could have imagined, Lauri Burns wrote on GoFundMe.

Oakley had a hole, likely caused by a bullet, in his head — and another wound in his back. According to Burns, one of the pup's ears had been torn and one eye was completely sealed shut.

"Whoever hurt him likely believed he wouldn't survive," Burns said. "But they were wrong."

"The veterinary team immediately anesthetized him, thoroughly cleaned his wounds, bandaged him, and started him on antibiotics and pain medication," Burns said. "He still has a long road ahead, including additional testing and ongoing treatment."

In spite of this, Burns said Oakley is a "sweet puppy" that gives love just as well as he receives it.

"Today, Oakley is staying at The Teen Project home, where the young women who live there have completely fallen in love with him," Burns said. "They want him to stay forever, and he'll become The Teen Project's official mascot—a reminder that even after unimaginable cruelty, healing is possible when people come together."

While Oakley trudges up the road to recovery, Burns sought the public's help in donating to help fund the pup's veterinary care, medication, medical supplies, follow-up treatment and more.

To visit Oakley's GoFundMe, click here.