The dog was found lying motionless by some factory workers.

Beaten, shot and left to die. This was the state a one-year-old Canaan Cross dog that was found in the Umm Al Quwain industrial area with a bullet lodged in her left shoulder.

The dog was found lying motionless by some factory workers, who informed non-profit organisation Stray Dog Centre UAQ on Thursday morning.

Amirah Williams, founder of Stray Dog Centre UAQ, told Khaleej Times that her team found the dog in a state of shock and almost paralysed. "It had been lying there for almost two days before the workers noticed it was alive," she said.

The team at once admitted it to the Animal Specialist Clinic in UAQ where it was found that it had been shot in left side and the bullet had travelled up and lodged in the right shoulder. Shards of shrapnel were seen lodged in the spinal cord, causing extensive damage. Although the doctors managed to remove the bullet, some parts of the shrapnel could not be removed as they are in the spine and touching that area could pose a threat to its life.

"We named her Faith, as we are hoping that she will pull it through and survive. Her situation is still critical and she is in shock with dilated pupils and is in immense pain," Williams said.

Talking about the severity of the crime, William said: "We have seen cases of dogs being shot with baby guns or pellet guns before, but this was shot by a .45 caliber, which not anybody can own easily.

She also pointed out that similar cases had been reported from the UAQ industrial area. "We also had a similar crime committed in the same area a few months ago where a dog was found slashed by a machete by some dog abusers.

"Even after Faith recovers, she will need long-term rehabilitation and other therapies. She has a long road to recovery and we will need more people to donate towards Faith's treatment," she added.

The centre has reported the incident to the Umm Al Quwain Police.

saman@khaleejtimes.com