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Dog found with crossbow through head is on the mend and has a new home

Ziggy, a two year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was shot at close range by a sick attacker, but the bolt deflected off his skull and avoided his brain, eyes and ears by a fraction

Escape: Ziggy shortly after he was found. (SWNS)

A dog abandoned with a 20-inch crossbow bolt through his head has found a loving new home.

Ziggy, a two year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was shot at close range by a sick attacker, but the bolt deflected off his skull and avoided his brain, eyes and ears by a fraction.

He was found wandering in woodland near Wansford, Cambs and veterinary surgeons delicately removed the carbon fibre missile last October.

Three months later Ziggy is now settling in with his new owners Dominic O'Hare, 25, and his girlfriend Anna Burton-Wood, 27, in Watford, Herts.

On the mend: Ziggy now has a new home and new owners. (SWNS)
On the mend: Ziggy now has a new home and new owners. (SWNS)


Injured: Vets were amazed Ziggy hadn't been killed. (SWNS)
Injured: Vets were amazed Ziggy hadn't been killed. (SWNS)


Dominic said: 'I saw the infamous image of Ziggy with a bolt through his head and as a dog lover just had to click on the story right away.

‘What got me the most was the way he just went up to those people in the woods with a wagging tail.

'Despite what had been done to him he was so open, so trusting. It just showed what sort of a dog he was.

'I sent it straight to my girlfriend and we just had the same feeling, the same immediate impulse, that we wanted to adopt him.

'Anna phoned up straight away and was told there had been about 60 or so calls that day from people wanting him.

The x-ray which shows the damage sustained by Ziggy. (SWNS)
The x-ray which shows the damage sustained by Ziggy. (SWNS)


Fixed up: It was touch-and-go for the two-year-old Staffy before his miraculous recovery. (SWNS)
Fixed up: It was touch-and-go for the two-year-old Staffy before his miraculous recovery. (SWNS)


'But I just kept on calling, every two weeks, then every week, and eventually persistence paid off.

'I think they realised quite how much we wanted him. As soon as we met him, I knew everything I had thought was true. He is just a big softie.'

The pair took him home on December 20 in time for Ziggy to enjoy Christmas Day.

RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs, who rescued Ziggy, said: 'I am delighted he has found such a suitable home after the harrowing experience he went through.

'I know he has now found people who can love him for the special dog he is.

'I have seen some things in my job, but this case will always stand out for me. It just bewildered me how someone could aim and fire at a dog at such callous close range.

'It then just amazed me how Ziggy stayed so trusting and affectionate regardless of the ordeal.

'I will never forget him sitting there, wagging his tail at me, with a crossbow through his head.'