Woman Thinks Dog Is Riddled With Bug Bites, Then Realizes They're Bullet Holes

In Seymour, Indiana, Hayden Howard's ordinary afternoon with her dog took a shocking turn. Her 100-pound English Mastiff, Jackson, had been enjoying a playful time in the backyard when Hayden noticed something odd on his skin. At first glance, the small bumps looked like bug bites, the kind of minor irritation any dog might pick up outdoors. A closer look told a far worse story: Jackson's skin was not just covered in bumps. It was riddled with holes. Someone had shot her dog, and not just once.

The Discovery at the Vet Clinic

Distressed, Hayden rushed Jackson to an animal clinic, where the veterinary team made a heartbreaking discovery. Embedded in Jackson's body were numerous BBs and pellets. The scale of the injuries was staggering. The vets removed 27 BBs and pellets from his body, but another 20 were lodged in places where removal would have caused more harm than leaving them, so they had to stay. On top of that, there were 20 more areas where pellets had struck Jackson but bounced off. In total, investigators estimated that nearly 70 pellets had been fired at the dog.

"I was in complete shock," Hayden said. "I couldn't believe this was happening to my dog."

For a dog owner, the realization is almost impossible to process. Jackson had been in his own backyard, the place that should have been safest for him. Whatever had happened, it had happened while he was simply being a dog, playing in the yard he loved.

The Investigation

Local police moved quickly. Investigators searching Hayden's yard found pellets lodged in a tree, which suggested the shots had been fired from a nearby house. Following that lead, officers searched the neighboring property, where they found a BB gun and pellets. They arrested a suspect, Tom Woodward, who had a criminal history but no prior charges for animal cruelty.

As the investigation continued, police were waiting for confirmation that the BBs recovered from Jackson's body matched those found at Woodward's home. That kind of forensic comparison takes time, but in the meantime authorities expressed confidence that he was responsible for the cruel act. The case was a reminder that animal cruelty is treated as a serious criminal matter, and that law enforcement takes these investigations seriously when evidence points to a suspect.

Jackson's Recovery

Despite everything he endured, Jackson began showing signs of recovery. Hayden stayed optimistic about his healing, saying he was regaining his strength and was expected to be able to return to his playful self before long. Dogs are remarkably resilient, and Jackson was proving it day by day. The hope was simple: that he could once again enjoy his backyard free from fear.

What To Do If Your Pet Is Hurt: Getting Veterinary Help Fast

Jackson's story shows why quick action matters when a pet is injured. Hayden's instinct to rush him to the vet immediately was exactly right. Here is what veterinarians generally recommend when a pet is hurt and the cause is unclear:

Get to a vet promptly. Unusual wounds, swelling, limping, or behavior changes after time outdoors all deserve professional evaluation. What looks like a minor irritation can be something more serious, as Jackson's case showed.

Do not try to remove embedded objects yourself. BBs, pellets, thorns, or other foreign bodies can sit near blood vessels, nerves, or organs. Veterinarians use imaging to locate them and decide whether removal is safe. In Jackson's case, the vet team made a deliberate medical decision: 27 pellets came out, while 20 stayed in because removing them would have done more harm.

Follow the treatment plan. Wound care, antibiotics, pain management, and follow up visits are all part of recovery. Keeping the injured area clean and watching for signs of infection, such as increased swelling, discharge, or fever, helps healing stay on track.

Keep records. Save vet reports, receipts, and photographs of the injuries. If the injury turns out to involve another person, as in Jackson's case, thorough documentation helps any investigation.

Reporting Suspected Animal Cruelty

If you ever suspect an animal has been deliberately harmed, there are general steps you can take:

Contact local authorities. Animal control officers or local law enforcement handle cruelty investigations. In an emergency, call your local emergency number; for non-emergencies, use the animal control or police non-emergency line.

Document what you see. Note dates, times, locations, and descriptions of what happened. Photographs of injuries or conditions can be important, though never put yourself in danger to get them.

Get veterinary evidence. A veterinarian's examination creates a professional record of the injuries, which can be critical if a case moves forward. In Jackson's story, the vet's discovery of the pellets was what turned a confusing situation into a criminal investigation.

Follow up. Investigations take time. Forensic work, like the pellet comparison police were awaiting in Jackson's case, does not happen overnight.

Animal cruelty laws exist in every U.S. state, and penalties have grown more serious over the years. Reporting suspected cruelty is one of the most direct ways the public helps protect animals.

Keeping Dogs Safe in the Backyard

A backyard should be a safe place for a dog to play. While no one can control what happens beyond their property line, there are general steps owners take to reduce risk:

Supervise outdoor time. Dogs left alone in yards for long stretches are more exposed to hazards, from other animals to hostile people. Being present, or checking frequently, makes a difference.

Secure the perimeter. A sturdy, well maintained fence keeps dogs in and discourages unwanted visitors, animal or human, from getting close.

Know your surroundings. If there are ongoing disputes with neighbors or signs of trouble in the area, it is worth being extra cautious about where and when your dog is outside unsupervised.

Bring dogs in at night. Many owners make it a rule that dogs sleep indoors. It is safer, and it strengthens the bond too.

Build good neighbor relationships. Friendly communication with neighbors often prevents conflicts from escalating, and neighbors who know and like your dog are more likely to look out for them.

A Story of Resilience

Jackson endured something no animal should ever face, and yet his story bends toward hope. He had an owner who noticed something was wrong, acted immediately, and stood by him through treatment. He had a veterinary team that did painstaking work to give him relief. And he had investigators who treated what happened to him as the serious crime it was.

Hayden's wish for Jackson is the same wish every dog owner holds: a full recovery, and many more happy afternoons in the backyard he loves. His resilience is a reminder of why dogs inspire such devotion, and why protecting them is a responsibility the whole community shares.

How You Can Help

Beyond caring for your own pets, there are general ways to support animals affected by cruelty:

Adopt or foster. Dogs recovering from cruelty often need patient homes or temporary foster care while they heal, physically and emotionally.

Donate. Veterinary treatment for injured animals is expensive. Donations to local shelters and rescues help cover emergency medical care.

Volunteer. Shelters need help with everything from dog walking and socialization to transport and fundraising.

Spay and neuter. Reducing the number of unwanted animals eases pressure on shelters and animal control, freeing resources for cruelty cases and medical emergencies.

Speak up. Reporting suspected cruelty, supporting stronger animal protection laws, and sharing stories like Jackson's all raise awareness.

This article is for informational purposes only. If your pet shows concerning symptoms, please consult a licensed veterinarian.