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Dec 26, 2007 6:11 pm US/Central
Dog Survives Point-Blank Shooting By Cop
WEST CHICAGO, Ill. (CBS) ―
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A police officer shot Hunter in the head, but he survived after the bullet ricocheted off his skull and went through his ear.
CBS
Every dog lover thinks their pooch is precious, but as CBS 2's Jim Williams reports, one West Chicago woman owns one truly tough dog.
Hunter is a 5-year-old Shepard-Labrador mix, and a medical marvel. Just two days ago -- on Christmas Eve -- Hunter was shot at point-blank range.
Nancy Podschwit was out shopping when her other dog got outside the family's electric fence. A neighbor called police, and an officer went to the side of the house.
"He said he opened the side door to see if anyone was home and Hunter wouldn't let him off the porch," Podschwit said.
The officer said he was scared and shot Hunter right between the eyes.
Police told Podschwit hunter was dead.
"I cried a lot," she said. "I was very, very upset and I called Anna, just hysterical."
Anna Morrison-Ricordati is the family's attorney.
"When we came to collect evidence we found blood stains on the door, considerable blood on the sidewalk, all through the driveway," Morrison-Ricordati said.
But when the Podschwits arrived at the veternarian's, there was Hunter walking just fine and wagging his tail.
It turns out the bullet ricocheted off Hunter's skull and went out his ear.
Hunter's stitches come out in 10 days. And it appears he doesn't hear very well in one ear and he may suffer recurring sinus problems. He'll also be checked longterm for any neurological problems.
West Chicago Deputy Police Chief Bruce Melkin calls the shooting regrettable, but insists it was justified because he says the officer felt threatened.
The family is considering legal action. But right now, they're just grateful Hunter is alive.
"He's our Christmas miracle," Podschwit said.
Hunter's owner says if he growled at the police officer, he did what any dog would do if a stranger approaches his family's home.
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