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Future Looks Good For Stray Hound Shot In Valrico

Hillsborough County Animal Services

The .22-caliber bullet broke a tooth and damaged a sinus cavity.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2008

Two good candidates are vying to adopt a stray basset hound that was shot Sunday, Hillsborough County Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said today.

"He is a doll baby," Ryan said of the dog.

The hound was taken to a veterinarian for treatment after a Valrico man shot him with a .22-caliber rifle, and he is recovering, Ryan said.

Ryan said this week that the dog was in good condition considering that "he has a giant hole through the right side of his face."

James Fisher, 57, shot the dog because it kept coming into his yard, a criminal arrest affidavit states.

The dog, a male tricolored basset hound, has a broken tooth and sinus cavity damage. He tried smooching Ryan a day after coming to Animal Services, and a day after that he started wagging his tail again, she said.

"He has not the slightest bone of aggression in his body," Ryan said.

Investigators arrested Fisher at 1:54 p.m. Sunday at his home.

Fisher, 57, was charged with one count of felony animal cruelty.

His bail was set at $2,000. He has been released.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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