UPDATED: Opossum Shot In Head, Body With Cross-Bow Arrows in Riverside

RIVERSIDE, CA- Officials operated Friday on an opossum who was shot with two arrows, and somehow survived.

According to Riverside County Department of Animal Services Spokesman John Welsh, the animal was found in the La Sierra area of town Friday morning by a concerned citizen who called for help.

“The [responding] officer found the animal in a western section of Riverside and was surprised to discover it was still alive, despite two cross-bow arrows that had struck it,” Welsh said.

As seen in the photo above, one of the arrows penetrated the opossum through its head, from near its right eye across.

“The second arrow went through its right side and also penetrated the other side of the animal,” Welsh said.

The critter was rushed to the county’s Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, where a staff veterinarian immediately began surgery to try to save the animal, according to Welsh.

“The animal was very alert and you could tell it was trying to remove the arrows itself,” Sgt. Cynthia Lee of Riverside County Animal Services said of the opossum’s disposition when it was brought to the shelter. “The opossum was grabbing the arrow on its side. What a horrible thing to do to an animal.”

By 2:30 p.m. Friday, the opossum– nicknamed “Robin”– was out of surgery and expected to make a recovery.

“The X-rays illustrated some damage to the animal’s lung tissue, but nothing that made him believe the animal would not survive,” Welsh said of the veterinarian’s examination on Robin. “Dr. Anwar said he is optimistic the animal has a chance at a full recovery.”

It’s currently unknown who shot it.

“No animal, whether it’s a domesticated dog or cat, or a part of our wildlife, deserves to be treated in such a cruel manner,” Animal Services Director Robert Miller said. “Anyone who has any information about who might have done this are encouraged to contact us. This is a sick act.”

Welsh said the Animal Services department plans on sending out letters to community members, to make sure they know someone in the area purposely hurt an animal like this.

“Pet owners who allow their dogs or cats outside should be made aware of this incident and that’s why we’re sending out the letters,” Welsh said.

(Images courtesy of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services)