A dog which survived being deliberately shot in the head from close range with a crossbow has found a new home in Watford.

Ziggy, the Staffordshire bull terrier, was discovered in woodland near Wansford, Peterborough, on October 22.

He had been shot with a 20 inch carbon fibre bolt which, incredibly, narrowly missed his ears and eyes which enabled veterinary surgeons to carefully pull it out from his skull.

Ziggy’s tale tugged on the heart-strings of Watford dog lovers Dominic O’Hare and his girlfriend Anna Burton-Wood.

Mr O’Hare, 25, said: “I caught sight of the infamous image of Ziggy with a bolt through his head on Twitter.

“It is hard to say what it was exactly which made me know he was the dog for us - but I think what got me the most was the way he just went up to people with a wagging tail.

“Despite what had been done to him he was so open, so trusting. It showed what sort of a dog he was and what character he had.

“I sent it straight to Anna and we just had the same feeling - the same immediate impulse - that we wanted to adopt him.”

The couple phoned the RSPCA’s Block Fen centre, where Ziggy was recovering, upon reading about his horrifying ordeal.

Mr O’Hare added: “We kept on calling, every two weeks, then every week, and eventually persistence paid off. I think they realised how much we wanted him.

“We finally took him home on December 20. It was important for us to get him home with us in time for Christmas Day.

“As soon as we met him, I knew everything I had thought was true. He is just a big softie.”

RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs described Ziggy’s recovery as ‘miraculous’, adding how pleased he was the dog had found a loving home to bring a sad story to a happy end.

He said: “I am delighted he has found such a suitable home after the harrowing experience he went through.

“I know he has now found people who can love him for the special dog he is.

“I have seen some things in my job, but this case will always stand out for me. It just bewildered me how someone could aim and fire at a dog at such callous close range.

“It then just amazed me how Ziggy stayed so trusting and affectionate regardless of the ordeal.

“I will never forget him sitting there, wagging his tail at me, with a crossbow through his head. This is why we do the job we do - to see happy endings like this. It makes it all worthwhile.”

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