He hit her with a single pellet just in front of her left hind leg. The pellet penetrated almost three inches before coming to a stop near her spine.
The vet took a number of x-rays and was able to conclude that nothing vital was damaged and that it would be best to simply leave the pellet where it is rather than risk surgery to remove it. He has kept the x-rays on file as evidence if we are ever able to find out who did it and want to press charges of animal cruelty, but it has been just about a year now, so I am doubtful that we will ever catch the little creep.
Sheesh... I bought my Labrador at 3 years old from a guy who had tried him as a field trial dog. When I x-rayed his hips to check him for breeding suitability, we could see he had a pellet in him, also near his spine.
At the time I wondered if the old guy had shot him accidentally during a hunt, or whether he’d gotten into someone’s chickens. It never occurred to me that it could be just a random malicious act.
Like your dog, he didn’t have any ongoing issues with it staying there. I hope your dog doesn’t have any trouble either.