Puppy shot with crossbow bolt and then abandoned on Boston road

An investigation has been launched after a puppy was cruelly shot with a crossbow and then chained up by the side of the road.

The 10-month-old female Belgian shepherd type breed, who is believed to be ca was found by a member of the public with a bolt in her leg at the junction of Sibsey Road and Pilleys Lane in Boston on Tuesday (17 September).

She was taken to a vet - who was shocked at the cruelty she had experienced - who removed the bolt but also contacted the RSPCA.

The animal charity is now appealing to people for information in the hope they can find the person responsible.

Sadly, weapon attacks on animals have become more common - with the RSPCA seeing a 23% rise in reports about the number of animals targeted last year, compared with 2022.

Animal Rescue Officer Dan Holman, who is looking into the incident, said: “She is a very friendly dog and it is heartbreaking that she has gone through such a horrific experience. We just don’t know why someone would do this to an innocent animal.

“The vets removed the bolt from her leg and she is making a good recovery. Despite what she’s been through, she is a friendly dog and loves being told she is a good girl - she absolutely adores head and ear scratches too.”

“The vets removed the bolt from her leg and she is making a good recovery. Despite what she’s been through, she is a friendly dog and loves being told she is a good girl - she absolutely adores head and ear scratches too.”

The dog is microchipped, with her name given on the chip as Nala. The RSPCA has followed up the details on the chip but haven’t been able to find the person responsible.

“Because we don’t know where she came from, we’re appealing to the public for help,” added Dan. “If you have dashboard footage from the area from that day we’d be grateful if you got in touch. She was found at around 7.30am, next to the river on the road, near to the golf course.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 1354000.

Last year, the RSPCA received reports about 370 animals being targeted by weapons, up from 300 in 2022.

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