This story is a reminder that persistence pays off. The slogan, “Never give up,” couldn’t be more fitting! A stray dog in the Denver area managed to avoid capture for several months, evading all attempts to help him — until a tragic incident changed everything. The situation became critical after the dog was shot in the face, but a dedicated group of rescuers refused to give up on him. The dog had been roaming south Denver for five months after escaping custody. Despite numerous sightings, the quick and elusive dog always managed to stay just out of reach.

Locals were warned not to approach or chase him due to his speed and ability to jump high fences. “This dog is very smart. He’s fast,” said Jenna Humphreys, lead officer of Denver Animal Protection, in an interview with Denverite. “We do know that he’s able to jump really high fences.” However, the gunshot wound raised serious concerns for the dog’s survival, as it might impair his ability to eat and sustain himself.

Thankfully, news of the dog’s plight reached local volunteer trappers Karlee Arguello and Sarah Luv-Garcia. The two women are well-known in the local animal rescue community, with a large following on Facebook due to their efforts. “Everybody tags us for everything, but this just really hit the fan,” Sarah told KDVR. “A dog being shot in the face. It spread like wildfire.”

Motivated by the urgency of the situation, the trappers devised a plan to finally catch the injured dog. They set up a large, yard-sized trap behind the home of a woman who had seen the dog frequently. To lure him in, they filled the trap with a tempting array of food, including rotisserie chicken and cheese.

Their persistence paid off on Saturday evening when the dog finally appeared. As he entered the trap, they quickly closed it, capturing him at last. The trappers then carefully approached the dog to examine his injuries. They found a two-centimeter wound on the outside of his face and a large wound inside his mouth. Denver Animal Protection confirmed that the dog is now receiving much-needed medical care.

For the trappers, this rescue was deeply emotional. “I cried. It’s very emotional when you do something to help an animal that’s just been let down by another human,” Sarah told Denverite. “I saw how sweet he was. He was such a gentle dog that absolutely didn’t deserve that, and now he’s really safe.”

The dog has since been named “Solo Vino” by the neighbors who had been looking out for him during his time on the streets. While it remains unclear who shot him, what matters most is that Solo Vino is now safe and receiving the care he deserves. It’s heartbreaking to think anyone would harm such a beautiful dog, but we’re relieved he’s finally in good hands. Thank you to all involved for saving this precious pup’s life!