Hayden Howard was devastated when she discovered her English Mastiff, Jackson, covered in what she thought were bug bites—only to learn he had been shot 70 times.

Jackson underwent emergency surgery, where vets removed 27 pellets, leaving 20 more in sensitive areas. Despite the trauma, Jackson is recovering well.

Police traced the shooting to a neighbor’s yard, finding weapons, ammunition, methamphetamine, and a BB gun. The suspect now faces serious charges.

“This is a terrible case,” said Assistant Chief Craig Hayes. Hayden hopes for the harshest punishment, adding, “They should never be around animals again.”

Jackson’s resilience highlights the urgent need to address animal cruelty and ensure justice for innocent lives.