Pit bull found shot by arrow in desert near Ivins, left for dead

Pit bull - generic photo; image is suggestive, not actual, of the dog involved in the attached report.

IVINS Another animal cruelty case has hit Southern Utah as a pit bull fights for its life after being shot with an arrow on old Highway 91 Friday morning.

Sgt. Kurt Bowen, with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, discovered the dog early Friday morning about 20 minutes drive outside of Ivins. He called Aggie Smith, Ivins Animal Control officer and director of the Ivins Animal Shelter, who responded to the scene.

Remy the pit bull, St. George, Utah, Aug. 16, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Aggie Smith, St. George News
Remy the pit bull, St. George, Utah, Aug. 16, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Aggie Smith, St. George News

“I’ve been doing this for nine years and I’ve seen a lot of stuff,” Smith said, getting emotional as she spoke, “but (nothing) that bad.”

Smith and Bowen initially thought the dog had been shot with a gun. A veterinarian later determined the dog had been shot by an arrow – likely titanium or aluminum, as there were no wood fragments found inside the dog.

The dog was shot from behind, Smith said, and the arrow went all the way up to its stomach, nicking its intestines in two or three places and injuring the outer area of its pancreas. The arrow blew out the area underneath the dog’s stomach, Smith said, and the dog’s interior fat was pushed out as a result of the injury, which ultimately saved its life.

“That stopped the bleeding,” Smith said. “He would’ve bled out.”

Smith said she doesn’t know if someone took the dog out to the desert area to use it as target practice or if it was an abandoned animal. The area where it was found is a common dumping ground for people who abandon their pets, she said.

Smith said most dogs, regardless of breed, would have become aggressive with such severe injuries, but the pit bull just kept wagging its tail.

“He was just so sweet, I mean really,” she said, “just happy to see somebody.”

Though she normally transports animals in the back of her vehicle, Smith said she allowed the pit bull to ride up front with her. The dog sat next to her during the ride with its head on her shoulder.

“I cried the whole way,” Smith said.

The pit bull was taken to Red Hills Animal Hospital in St. George, where it underwent a three-hour surgery. The veterinarian, Dr. Scott Hannig, said the dog has a good chance of recovering, Smith said.

“At this point, he’s on heavy doses of antibiotics, and we’ll see how he does,” she said.

Smith said Sgt. Bowen was very gentle and kind with the dog and went the extra mile to help it, where others might not have done that much for an injured animal. Bowen performed triage, wrapped the animal and stayed with it until help arrived.

“He did a tremendous job with that dog today,” Smith said.

The staff members at the animal hospital have named the 60-pound pit bull “Remy.” Smith said Sheriff Cory Pulsipher has offered to pay for all of the dog’s medical expenses.

“I can’t say enough about Cory Pulsipher and his sergeant,” Smith said. “They were awesome today.”

Smith said Remy is in need of a temporary foster home where he can recover and be cared for. It is unknown at this point whether the dog has issues with other animals, she said, but with people he is exceptionally sweet and affectionate.

“The best place for him would be a foster who would be willing to foster him for at least two weeks, give him his medicine,” Smith said.

While the Ivins Animal Shelter has a recovery area for animals, Smith said with such serious injuries Remy will be better off recovering in a secluded place away from the shelter pets.

“We do an awesome job at our shelter, but the shelter’s really the last place I want him to recuperate initially,” she said.

If a foster home cannot be found, Smith said donations will be needed to help pay for Remy’s board at the animal hospital.

“His surgery bills are covered. What isn’t covered is if we keep him there,” she said.

Anyone interested in fostering Remy should call the Ivins Animal Shelter, 435-628-1049, or call Smith directly on her animal control cell phone, 435-669-7043. Those willing to help pay for the dog’s boarding costs can call either of those numbers or contact Red Hills Animal Hospital directly at 435-656-8886.

“Hopefully he survives this,” Smith said.

Smith added the only way to help stop animal cruelty cases like this is to enact stricter penalties for those who perpetrate animal cruelty.

“I’d just like to see stricter laws for stuff like this, because it’s becoming more and more frequent,” she said.

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48 Comments

  • PatriotJane August 15, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    I have other pets, but if no one can help contact me. Mary

  • Aaron August 16, 2014 at 5:45 am

    There are some SICK people in Utah. Dog shot by an arrow. Ten horses dead from dehydration. Cat shot by an arrow. WT*? Some of you are raising sick,sick children . Today it;s an animal. Tomorrow they will be serial killers.

  • SAD August 16, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Hey, turn yourself in you sick coward.

  • SAD August 16, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Turn yourself in you sick human being.

  • sad August 16, 2014 at 10:01 am

    So angry.

  • chickweed August 16, 2014 at 10:10 am

    Appreciate the good reporting here about this bad situation.

    Also, my heartfelt thanks to the public servants and vet who stepped up to save this dog.

    Sgt. Bowen, Ms. Smith and Sheriff Pulsipher are all heroes and have set an outstanding example in the face of unfathomable cruelty. I’m proud to be a Washington County resident.

  • Travas Walker August 16, 2014 at 10:15 am

    I live in Seattle area now I grew up in southern Utah.
    I’m looking for a therapy dog, would love to see if this pup would work.
    Kudos to Cory and his staff.
    I’m proud to know him.

    • Aggie August 16, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Call me at the shelter if you are interested after his recovery . 435 628 1049

      • Travas Walker August 16, 2014 at 4:50 pm

        I’m coming down the last week of the month.
        I’ll stop in and say hello.

  • niknak August 16, 2014 at 11:48 am

    Yay!!!!!! a shout out for Sgt. Kurt Bowen for a job well done with the sweet pitbull.

  • BOBBER August 16, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    save it the suffering and put it down

    • Orion August 17, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      Why dont we just put you down Jerk? Its people like you who do this stuff.

      • Cheryl August 18, 2014 at 12:34 pm

        I agree with you Orion. There have been several pit bull hater trolls who have been coming on and bashing pit bulls in general. I am thinking that it may be a hunter who hates pit bulls. St. George is such a beautiful lovely place to have disgusting evil people in it like that perp who did this. All you pit bull haters watch out cause we know about you and will turn you in in a second.

    • Terry August 18, 2014 at 2:35 am

      What a stupid comment. Did you even read the article. Seriously, some people are just a waste of oxygen.

    • Hockey 101 August 18, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      Why don’t you become a suicide bomber – go practice .

  • Knan August 16, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    That awesome of our sheriff to do something so nice! Pit bulls are the most loving dogs out there if you love them!

  • LOVE my Pits! August 16, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I have 3 Pits and each one is very loving and sweet. This breed of dog is so good and special.
    1 one my Pits when she was a baby was run over in front of my place by a speeder. She had both bones in her one leg broken clean in half even though she was in tremendous pain she was licking us and comforting us. Never once did she growl, snap or attempt to bite. Now small dogs like a Chihuahua will bite you quick. My Chihuahua got his nails clipped by my S.O. and he bit S.O. I had to block him from biting.

  • BOBBER August 16, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    oh yeah, pitbulls are so loving and sweet. that’s why they like to attack and chew up little kids… so sweet…

    • Jay August 16, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Put down bobber and his ignorant comments so we don’t have to suffer through them anymore

    • Orion August 17, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      You need to get educated. The only vicious dog is one that was trained that way. A Chiwawa can be vicious.

    • Hockey 101 August 18, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      Are you a professional moron ?

  • Koolaid August 16, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    What’s with these dixie people? Having sex with horses and dogs, mutilating cats, shooting cats and dogs with bows and arrows, and the women starting fights and riots? Dang! Is that worthy stuff or what?

    • BOBBER August 16, 2014 at 3:16 pm

      If I’m not mistaken, bestiality disqualifies one from a temple recommend. So don’t tell the bishop 😉

    • BOBBER August 16, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      Oops, I forgot the “Oh me heck!”

  • Kacee August 16, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    I’m with Jay. Lets put Boober down. Your a real class act champ. I think we should find him and see if he owns a bow?
    I am so impressed with all who cared and helped so much for this poor animal. You don’t know unconditional love till you have a dog.

    • Babygirl August 16, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      Agreed, waste of air POS! Bobber, you’re an ignorant and stupid dirtbag!

    • Cheryl August 18, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      I agree. Boober may be the one who did this. Him or Clarence or that other guy that I cannot remember his stupid name. They hate pit bulls and want to kill them.

  • Red Rocker August 16, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Getting ready for hunting season?
    Terrible that this was done to a dog, but somehow our God given right to do it to game animals.

  • Crazydoglady August 16, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    Sarge is a prime example of the true nature of pitbulls, sweet and loving with humans no matter how horribly a human has treated them. I have 4 pits and its true what “they” say, “once you know and love a pittie, you’ll always love the the breed.” Any dog that attacks a human is a product of the human behind them. Bobber you obviously don’t have or deserve the love of a dog.

  • Joe Public August 16, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    To set the record straight Cory Pulsipher hasn’t done much of anything to get animal control in the county. He and the county commissioners have done very little IF anything. They just talk about “where’s the money” but they found a bunch of money to buy seizure vehicle so the Sheriff can have a new Duramax truck. If there was a shelter, maybe someone would have taken Remi there instead of shooting him. Iron County has an animal shelter why can’t we for crying out loud! Lets get with the times there’s inmate workers who could maintain it and building it could be partially funded by donations I bet. Hold them accountable people don’t praise them. Sgt Bowen did more for animals in Washington Co. in this one act than the Sheriff is going to do this term or next. Its only when the media gets involved does the sheriff even do anything. There should be public outcry for a county wide animal shelter.

    • John Public August 16, 2014 at 10:45 pm

      Joe Public you really have no clue what you are talking about. The issue of a county animal shelter is proceeding, and only because Sheriff Pulsipher is pushing it. It will become a reality, there are just a lot of hoops to jump through to get it done. As for the Sheriff’s truck, it cost the county tax payers or I should say YOU & ME a bundle less to obtain a seizure vehicle as compared to purchasing a new one. I for one thank the Sheriff for being willing to drive a used vehicle and not demanding a new one.

      • Cheryl August 18, 2014 at 12:44 pm

        Yay I am happy to hear that. I believe you and thank you for your input. You obviously know more about it than Joe Public. I am so glad you are getting an animal shelter there. We got a nice new one here , but only because a very nice lady who loves animals donated 8 million dollars to that purpose in her will. We have a state of the art facility thanks to her.

  • cindy August 16, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    What the …* is wrong with people in st. George… Almost everyone hates pits there the most loving dog ever
    Ed. ellipsis: …*

  • The Rest Of The Story August 16, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Just one more thing to blame on gay marriage!

  • nancy August 16, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    I agree pts it !! Evil breed no matter how sweet they may seem they end up turning with no warning let the thing die waste of money other worthy dogs that deserve it not this horrible breed

    • Orion August 17, 2014 at 12:10 pm

      Do you know how ignorant you sound? Get educated on the breed before you leave a stupid comment like you just did.

    • Cheryl August 18, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      You are as bad as Bobber. You and him are the evil ones.

    • Dana August 18, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      Nancy….you and Bobber need to take your meds. IF not, I;m calling for the white jackets and muzzles for you two.

      • nancy August 25, 2014 at 1:15 am

        N. As for you delusional dana I’ll be calling an airlift for u

    • Hockey 101 August 18, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      You are an idiot at best .

  • JCM August 17, 2014 at 12:50 am

    Thank GOD that we have those that love animals regardless!!! I have 2 pitties and a heeler with 4 cats!!!! Why hurt an innocent 4 legged baby??? Who ever can do this? Is a sick individual!! Let’s help this beautiful baby live a better life!!!! Donate!!! Doesn’t matter if it’s money or your time!!!! Help the babies that do not have a voice!!!

  • BOBBER August 17, 2014 at 11:36 am

    FOLKS ONLY LIKE THESE PITS CUZ THEY’RE CONSIDERED A TOUGH-MAN’S DOG (BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE A REPUTATION FOR KILLING). I THEN I HAVE TO HEAR IDIOTS GOING ON AND ON ABOUT HOW SWEET AND WONDERFUL THEY ARE. NEXT THING YOU KNOW THEY HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ELSE’S DOG OR DISFIGURED A CHILD. YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. DO US ALL A FAVOR AND EUTHANIZE THIS DOG…

    • Terry August 18, 2014 at 2:38 am

      You know…. yelling your head off in all caps doesn’t make you any less stupid or wrong. It just makes you look more like a moron than ever.

    • Hockey 101 August 18, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      You are an idiot .

  • nancy August 25, 2014 at 1:14 am

    Seems to me your the ignorant one n believe me I’ve done the research n when your … turns on you I will be laughing n grateful its u than an innocent bystanders
    Ed. ellipsis.

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