Family pet shot on or near Granby town trails
By KARA LESSARD DAMSEAUX
Special to the Granby News
Submitted photo. Harper, a labrador retriever-shepherd mix, was shot Dec. 8 at Holcomb Farm, but is recovering.
GRANBY — Harper is an energetic, playful two-year-old lab-shepherd mix who is very lucky to be alive. Late Thursday afternoon, Dec. 8, she was hiking with her owner, Kara Lessard Damseaux, on trails in Holcomb Farm, which is owned by the town of Granby, and was separated from her. Kara and her husband Tom found Harper 20 to 30 minutes later, lying on the side of one of the main trails, motionless and glazed over, 250 yards from a No Hunting sign.
“It was a very scary moment,” said Kara. “I knew something was terribly wrong.”
They rushed her to Salmon Brook Animal Hospital, where it was touch and go for a couple of hours. Harper had open wounds from what the vet thought was a gunshot. She was having trouble breathing, had lost a lot of blood, her temperature was very low, and she was very pale and in shock.
After the vet at Salmon Brook Animal Hospital stabilized her, she was transported to Connecticut Veterinary Center, in West Hartford, where she received a blood transfusion and was prepared for exploratory surgery the following day. She was in surgery for three hours.
The veterinary surgeon removed part of a damaged lung and assessed a blood clot on her liver, and confirmed a bullet from a shotgun caused the wound. The surgeon also repaired two of Harper’s ribs and removed metal fragments from what appear to be a deer slug. They were not sure what the next few days would hold, but she made a miraculous initial recovery. She came home on Sunday, Dec. 11, and is resting comfortably. Although Harper is very traumatized and timid at the moment, Kara and Tom are hopeful that she will make a full recovery and will gain back her confidence.
Lessard Damseaux and Harper did not think they had anything to worry about. Harper’s message to hunters is to be careful, and know what you are shooting at before you shoot. Look for dog collars and listen for dog tags like the ones Harper was wearing.
Her message to hikers or people walking their dogs in or near the woods is to put a fluorescent bandana or vest on the dog and/or a cow bell. Hikers and dog owners should all wear bright clothing, especially during hunting season. Deer hunting season is approximately mid-November to mid-December.
Visit http://harpermessage.blogspot.com/ for daily updates and more information on how to help Harper.
Pet Portal
CT Vet Center Surgeon Dr. Lindgren saves family pet shot near Granby town trails
GRANBY — Harper is an energetic, playful two-year-old lab-shepherd mix who is very lucky to be alive. Late Thursday afternoon, Dec. 8, she was hiking with her owner, Kara Lessard Damseaux, on trails in Holcomb Farm, which is owned by the town of Granby, and was separated from her. Kara and her husband Tom found Harper 20 to 30 minutes later, lying on the side of one of the main trails, motionless and glazed over, 250 yards from a No Hunting sign…
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