‘Easter miracle’: Abandoned dog found with severe gunshot wounds survives surgery

CONSUMERS, Carbon County — A heartfelt dog rescue quickly became the center of a community’s attention Friday, after a woman rescued a lost dog and realized shortly after making it to the vet that the situation was more dreadful than she knew.

The dog, now named BluJay, was found wandering near the ghost town of Consumers near Price and Helper. The rescuer, Tanner Tamllos, said in a Facebook post that she’d taken him to the vet, and that he was found in poor condition.

“He is in terrible shape and has been out there for quite some time and looks as if he has been attacked by something,” Tamllos said.

On Sunday, Tamllos told KSL TV that it was like her family was meant to find the dog.

“It was almost like God put us there at the right time just to find him,” Tamllos said.

The attacker, as it turned out, was likely a human. Tamllos posted an update later that evening; there had been two bullets found lodged in BluJay’s head. It was clear he’d been shot twice between the eyes. According to Tamllos, BluJay had a 10% chance of survival.

“We’ve given him pain medication, and IV and removed one of the bullets but he is too weak to do surgery right now. We will see if he makes it through the night and can handle surgery in the morning,” Tamllos said in an update. “We are all outraged and shocked, just as I’m sure you all are too.”

Tamllos told KSL as soon as her family got the dog into the vehicle, it felt a sigh of relief.

“I don’t know how long you’ve been out there looking or standing there, but the second he got in our truck, he laid down and closed his eyes and was able to rest. You could see that he kind of let go,” she said.

On Sunday afternoon, BluJay had made it through the night and surgery. Both bullets had been removed, and BluJay would later have to face surgery again to remove his entire left eye. But, he was alive.

“It really scared us because his breathing got really faint at that time and we thought he wasn’t going to make the drive (to the vet),” said Travis Case, Tamllos’ father. “The dog is, he’s a tough dog. He’s pulled through. He’s doing pretty well. He’s eating and standing. We’re pretty ecstatic about that.”

By this point, BluJay’s story was being followed by hundreds of community members, all devastated and invested in his recovery.

Finally, on Easter Sunday afternoon, Tamllos announced he was up and eating.

“Easter miracle! Thank you Dr. Harmer, his family and staff for working so hard for OUR boy!!” She said.

BluJay is not microchipped and has not been claimed. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KSL they are investigating what led up to the dogs injuries.

Tamllos utilized community support and worked with multiple local businesses to help raise funds to pay for BluJay’s vet bills. Her Venmo is @tannermckenzie last 4 of number 5144.