A county veterinarian who performed emergency surgery on an opossum found pierced by two arrows is optimistic the animal has a chance at full recovery despite some lung damage, according to a Department of Animal Services news release.

Veterinary technicians involved in the life-saving operation at the Western Riverside City/County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley have nicknamed the animal “Robin,” who was described as alert when found Friday morning, Jan. 22, with the arrows sticking out of the male animal’s body.

A county animal control officer found the animal near Hole and Jones avenues in Riverside’s La Sierra neighborhood with one arrow penetrating the opossum near his right eye and exiting through the other side of the head and a second arrow from the right to left side of the body.

Dr. Magid Anwar used X-rays to examine the opossum’s internal injuries and examined him after the operation. There was nothing that made him believe the animal would not survive, according to the news release.

The animal will likely be transported to a community organization that specializes in wildlife rehabilitation when it can be moved.

“The animal was very alert and you could tell it was trying to remove the arrow itself,” animal services Sgt. Cynthia Lee said in the news release. “The opossum was grabbing the arrow on its side. What a horrible thing to do to an animal.”

Calling the animal abuse callous and despicable, County Animal Service Director Robert Miller is asking anyone who has information about who might have shot the opossum to contact the department.

Animal services will send letters out to the community near the incident to alert pet owners so they keep an eye on their pets.