CNN iReport

SERVICE DOG SHOT IN OWN BACKYARD

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On March 18- My service dog suffered a severe injury after being shot in our backyard . My Service Dog-Rambo was let out in our yard in the early evening hours to go to the bathroom. Our dog-was on our property and fully restrained in the yard. After about 5 minutes in the yard-Rambo returned to the backdoor. When he entered the house-we quickly noticed that his behavior was significantly different. We soon discovered that he suffered a severe laceration on his back leg, and was bleeding heavily. After attempting to control the bleeding-we were unable to do do. We quickly rushed Rambo to the Banfield Pet Hospital. After examining Rambo injury leg-It was discovered that he had been shot. He was quickly rushed into surgery. The injury to my service dog was severe enough to require surgery to repair the damage and hundred of dollars in medical bills. He will require additional follow-up care, and the road to recovery will be long.

The local TV Station (KOIN Channel 6) features this story as part of their local newscast. This incident has been reported to the Clackamas County Police Department. I have full documentation to support this claim including: Clackamas County Sheriff Office incident report, vet statements, and medical bills. 

Any injury to a service animal leg can be very serious and can potentially lead to the ending of their career. Service animals play a critical role in the lives of disability people-providing critical support in the lives of thousands of people. It is estimated that the cost to replace a service animal is between $75,000-100,000 due to the extensive training (18 months to up to 3 years) they receive. Should a service dog be significantly injured or killed-the wait time to obtain another service dog can be years. Dogs for the Deaf-Located in Central Point, Oregon-estimates the current wait list for a trained hearing service dog to be over 5 years long. Due to the seriousness of the injury to my service dog-he is currently unable to work (provide service) for an . Not only did I suffer monetary loss due to vet bills (hundreds of dollars), and the lost of personal wages-. My service dog is trained as a hearing dog, and alerts me to safety hazards (fire/emergency alarms. While my service dog was unable to work my personal safety is put at risk daily due the absence of my service dog. The potential for injury to any service dog can reach high economic impact due medical care, lost wages, re-training, and personal safety risk. If a service dog is hurt or killed while performing their duties-their is a high risk due to cost to replacement any trained service animal.

Our entire family is left shaken and saddened by this senseless act of violence. Rambo has been a beloved member of our family, and faithful service dog for over 3 years. He is a very well behaved dog-receiving hundreds of hours and over 18 months of specialized training. We don't know if this was truly an accident that occurred or truly an act of a very mean/violent person. In the State of Oregon-the intentional injury to a service dog-is a consider a serious crime-and is a felony. All animals should be keep safe/protected-especially was on their own property.

We are unsure if Rambo will ever be able to work again as a service dog-due to the seriousness of his injuries. We ask if you would please consider doing a story about this incident. Thank you for hearing my concerns!