CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A puppy that suffered a gunshot to her head, costing the dog her left eye, has a bright, healthy outlook after surgery at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. A staff member now plans to adopt Navani, who is believed to be 7-9 months old.

“It’s not very common that they survive these kind of wounds,” CASPCA executive director Libby Jones told Cville Right Now on Thursday. “But she’s perfectly fine. She’s so happy. She’s turned into a little bit of a love bug.”

Navani was found by a good Samaritan on April 20, loose in the northeast part of the county, near Happy Creek Road. underweight and in pain. The person reported a wounded stray to the Albemarle County Police Department.

“ACPD’s Animal Protection Unit observed a wound to the dog’s eye and transported it to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA for care,” ACPD spokesperson Logan Bogert told Cville Right Now.

When CASPCA veterinarians began surgery on Navani, to see if her eye could be saved, they determined her injuries – which also included a fractured jaw – were most likely caused by a gunshot to her head, and that injuries were as many as two months old. When the doctors opened her eye socket, they found bone and bullet fragments, Jones said.

Catching the person who shot Navani figures to be difficult, Jones said, as would prosecuting that person under Virginia law. Companion animals, including pet dogs, are considered property in Virginia, so if the owner’s intent was to put her down, it might have been a technically legal act.

But Jones pointed out that leaving Navani suffering from her wounds without treatment could be considered animal cruelty.

Bogert told Cville Right Now the department is investigating Navani’s case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Animal Protection Unit at 434-296-5807.

CASPCA has shared Navani’s story on social media and in the press for two reasons. First, there is a chance someone will recognize the dog and turn in the owner who shot her.

Perhaps more urgently, Jones hopes Navani’s story will encourage the community to support CASPCA’s medical fund, which is what allows the organization to take on and help injured strays.

“This is going above and beyond to save these animals lives, and that’s what the fund is used for,” Jones said. “These things are happening in our community. We need to take a stand and advocate for these animals.”