Dog Shot In Head With Arrow Now Up For Adoption

NEWPORT, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A 2-year-old dog that was shot in the head with an arrow in late March is now up for adoption from a nonprofit animal rescue in Monroe County.

Gemma, a 65-pound black-coated mastiff-Labrador mix, spent months recovering at The Devoted Barn, which sits on a 53-acre farm in Newport, about 30 miles south of Detroit. Devoted Barn owner Melissa Borden tells The Flint Journal that Gemma's time at the facility has allowed her to interact and feel comfortable around other dogs.

Borden said Gemma graduated from obedience training. She's also learned tricks and interacted with strangers while taking part in a program with students at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center School.

Meantime, Gemma's former owner — 28-year-old Christopher Scott, of Goodland Township — is charged in Lapeer County with one count of torturing animals.

Gemma was found wandering in March with an arrow lodged above the left eye [See a photo here — Image may be disturbing]. Some reports say she could have been shot with the arrow days before she was discovered.

"Surprisingly enough the arrow did not do any long term damage to Gemma's brain.  Four months later she is a totally happy, normal functioning dog!" reads Gemma's adoption profile. "Despite the horrible thing that humans did to her Gemma LOVES people!  She is a total people pleaser. All she wants to do is be loved on."

Scott's lawyer argued that his client's actions were justified, saying the 28-year old was trying to kill the dog because it had killed another dog — a pug —  "literally ripping out its throat." He said Scott had genuine fear because he has five children in the home and young children living next door.

Scott faces up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.

[Anyone interested in adopting Gemma can get more information at this link].

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