A Riverside County Animal Services officer responded to a call about a opossum shot with arrows. Animal Control Officer Jennifer Selter found the opossum in Riverside’s La Sierra neighborhood and was surprised to discover the animal was still alive despite having two cross-bow arrows protruding from his body.
Warning: Shocking images below may be disturbing to some readers.
Photo credit: Riverside County Animal Services
She rushed the animal to the county’s Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, where a staff veterinarian immediately began surgery to try to save the animal.
“One arrow penetrated the animal near its right eye and followed through the other side of its head,” writes Riverside County Animal Services. “The second arrow went through its right side and also penetrated the other side of the animal.”
Photo credit: Riverside County Animal Services
When the opossum first came into the treatment area of the clinic he was struggling to pull the arrows out himself. “The animal was very alert and you could tell it was trying to remove the arrows itself,” says Sgt. Cynthia Lee of Riverside County Animal Services, who was with the animal when he arrived. “The opossum was grabbing the arrow on its side. What a horrible thing to do to an animal.”
Photo credit: Riverside County Animal Services
Amazingly, no vital organs were damaged by the bolts, although the opossum lost an eye. The opossum survived the surgery and will be continued to be monitored by staff until he is well enough to be sent to a local wildlife rehabilitator to see if he can be released back into the wild. The staff have named him Robin.
Photo credit: Riverside County Animal Services
Meanwhile, Animal Services has launched a cruelty investigation with the Riverside Police Department on Friday, January 23, 2016, the day Robin was found. Animal Services Director Robert Miller called the actions callous and despicable.
“No animal, whether it’s a domesticated dog or cat, or a part of our wildlife, deserves to be treated in such a cruel manner,” Miller said. “Anyone who has any information about who might have done this are encouraged to contact us. This is a sick act.”
Update on Robin:
Robin went to Sunshine Haven Animal Rescue & Wildlife Rehabilitation for his recovery. Although they initially thought he would be a good candidate for re-release into the wild, the loss of his eye and the loss of use of one of his lungs proved too big an obstacle.
Instead he went to live with the kind folks at In the Company of Wolves in Hesperia, California.
He adjusted well to his new surroundings. The group shared, “Some of his favorite foods are scrambled eggs, bananas, all melons, yogurt, grapes and mealworms! Plans are already under way to make him an even bigger enclosure for him to cruise in. He loves climbing on the logs and we are going to try to convince a friend to weave him a hammock so in the warm summer months he has the option of lounging on that or in his little igloo house.”
Robin spent a wonderful year with In the Company of Wolves. He loved lounging in the sun and munching on his favorite foods. But on July 29, 2017, In The Company Of Wolves announced his passing:
“Robin passed away around 10:30 this morning. We knew it was coming ,as he was about 3 years old and that is an elder opossum and this past week he had just really slowed down. He was moving a bit slower, eating a bit less and letting us actually pet him. He was not sick, he was just nearing the end of his time. He went very peaceful….unlike his life prior to being rescued. He took a little walk about in his enclosure this morning, went back in his house and drifted off to heaven.”
In the Company of Wolves
“As you know, Robin previously was a victim of a horrible act of violence and cruelty. Robin was shot with 2 arrows. One in the head that made him loose his eye and one arrow in one of his lungs. He had then only one functioning lung left. He was left for dead and animal control picked him up, took him to the vet and he was given the best of care and miraculously survived the ordeal. He was transferred to Sunshine Haven Wildlife Rehab and received the best of the best supportive care allowing Robin to not only continue to live, but thrive! Having only one lung and one eye he was considered non releasable. We offered to give Robin a permanent home where he would be spoiled and loved the rest of his days…..and spoiled and loved he was. We truly believe that he enjoyed his time with us. Somehow he knew he was safe and was glad he could feel relaxed.”
“Robin and his story were quite amazing and he will be greatly missed. It’s odd how when you have a whole compound of animals still, you can feel the emptiness and void that comes when one little soul left our world to start their new journey. Godspeed Robin. Wait for us with the others at the Bridge and we will see you again one day. This I am certain of.
An HUGE THANK YOU to Sunshine Haven for all the care they gave Robin and placing him with ITCOW, and allowing us to know such a wonderful boy! It was an honor to give him the love and peace he deserved and be a small part in his Golden Years. RIP sweet boy. ❤. You mattered to many of us.”
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