Wounded Dog Goes Home, Owner Remains Hospitalized | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Fresno, CA "We just want her back home. Relieved she's okay. We miss her. Want to take her home."

And Bessie, a pit bull mix, was happy to be reunited with a family member.

Wednesday night police said an angry neighbor shot Bessie's owner, Marty Rodriguez. Rodriguez had complained the neighbor, Thomas Wiley, was playing his music too loud. Witnesses told police Wiley got a gun, and shot Rodriguez. The bullet went through his neck.

He was rushed to the hospital and Wiley was arrested and is in the Fresno County jail.

The bullet went through Rodriguez , hit the window of his apartment, and lodged in the dogs neck. "Bessie" was seriously hurt, but Beth Caffrey, of the SPCA says Bessie pulled through quickly after surgery. "We were able to retrieve the bullet and it was actually lodged in her neck muscle and so it was actually stopped by her vertebrae." She said.

The dog's story may seem insignificant compared to what happened to her master. But to the family, at this terrible time, being able to at least bring Bessie home is no small thing.

Tamara Murphy put it this way: "Maybe I can sleep. Maybe we can both go home and rest. We both need some rest and the rest of the family can rest."