SYRACUSE -- A Syracuse family is devastated over the shooting of their two-year-old German Shepherd mix named Brownie.
The Sunday before Thanksgiving, Patricia Barnes was in her home on Primrose Avenue when she heard gunshots. Her dog was outside. Brownie suddenly stopped barking.
Patricia's son brought Brownie inside with blood all over his neck. "He was bleeding, he had holes in him," said Barnes.
They called police. Police urged them to get Brownie to a veterinarian. They rushed Brownie to the Veterinary Medical Center on Bridge Street in East Syracuse. Barnes said, "They told me within an hour he would have been dead."
Veterinarians stabilized the dog and found entry and exit wounds for the bullet. It had passed through Brownie's throat. The shooting damaged the Shepherd's trachea. Brownie was sent home the next day with instructions to give him antibiotics and rest while the wounds heal.
Patricia gets emotional when she talks about what happened to her dog, "He's like family to me. I love him." She and her adult son get by on disability and Supplemental Security Income.
Due to the mounting veterinary bills associated with Brownie's emergency and continuing care Patricia Barnes contacted the Shamrock Animal Fund for assistance. The Shamrock Animal Fund is the fund created by news anchor Matt Mulcahy and his wife Jamie Pomilio-Mulcahy to help assist with the costs of veterinary care.
Ten days after the shooting Brownie's family brought him back to their regular clinic - Town and Country on South Salina Street in Syracuse. The Shamrock Animal Fund accompanied them and helped pay the cost of the visit.
"They were very nice... of Jamie and Matt to help me because I couldn't afford it. I've already paid $1,273 at the animal hospital because I almost lost my dog," said Barnes.
Brownie appeared happy to see his friends at Town and Country, including Dr. Kenneth Dodge who assessed his status. He stated it was a bullet that harmed this dog. Dr. Dodge was tentative with his long term prognosis for Brownie. He is concerned Brownie has trachea damage that will not heal without surgery in the coming weeks. The injury hinders Brownie's ability to breath properly.
Dr. Dodge recommended the Barnes' take Brownie to Cornell Veterinary Medical Hospital if such an operation is needed. Bills for such surgery can quickly exceed $1,000.
The Shamrock Animal Fund will work to gather resources for Brownie, but needs additional donations if it is to pick up a major portion of the bill. You can donate in Brownie's name by sending checks to:
Shamrock Animal Fund
7815 Karakul Lane
Fayetteville, NY 13066
