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Puppy who survived being shot in the face and stamped on finds home in UK

Millie was shot and stamped on before being rescued. (Caters)
Millie was shot and stamped on before being rescued (Caters)

An adorable puppy who has already endured a painful and cruel start to life can look forward to a safe and happy life after finding a forever home in the UK.

One-year-old Millie has undergone life-changing surgery after she was shot in the face multiple times and suffered severe facial injuries from what was most likely someone deliberately stamping on her.

Millie – or “snot monster” as she is affectionately named by her rescuer, Kasey Carlin – was born a stray in Russia and found dying on the streets by animal activists.

When Millie was rescued from the cold, she was attempting to claw the rotten mess of her snout away from her own face.

The puppy was left with a disfigured face following her ordeal. (Caters)
The puppy was left with a disfigured face following her ordeal (Caters)

Millie’s horrendous journey came to the attention of Carlin, a guardian angel for disadvantaged dogs.

After weeks of begging, fundraising, and sending email after email to the Russian animal sanctuary Vyberimenya where Millie was based, Carlin was able to negotiate Millie’s evacuation to the UK with the help of her employers, the Wild At Heart Foundation, an animal rescue organisation looking to tackle the world’s 600 million stray dog population.

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Since arriving in the UK a little over a month ago, Millie has undergone surgeries to help her lead a normal life.

Her right eye was removed – as it was underdeveloped after bullet shrapnel became embedded during her torturous formative months – and she had a new nose attached.

Kasey Carlin rescued Millie and brought her to the UK to live. (Caters)
Kasey Carlin rescued Millie and brought her to the UK to live. (Caters)

Carlin, who is from the US state of Indiana but moved to England a decade ago, said: “When I saw her, I just fell in love with her instantaneously.

“She had no nose and a tube to help her breathe and smell but she was just so happy in her videos. My heart melted and I had to have her.”

Speaking about the condition she found Millie in, Carlin went on: “When she was picked up, her face was just totally shattered, a complete mess.

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“She was trying to claw away the rotting mulch where her nose had been. It’s possible that she was hit by a car but it’s much more likely she was stamped on as her injuries are almost all on her face.

Millie's skull showed the extent of her injuries. (Caters)
Millie's skull showed the extent of her injuries (Caters)

“There were several bullets in her too. We’re not sure if she was used as target practice before or if someone tried and failed to euthanise her – it’s more likely to be the former sadly.”

After multiple operations, Millie is now living with Carlin and three other dogs at her home in Brighton.

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Carlin added: “I love all my pets equally and they’re just normal dogs, none of them suffer at all. They eat, drink, and play like any other dog. They’re super happy and they make everyone they meet happy too.

The one-year-old was born a stray in Russia and left to die on the streets. (Caters)
The one-year-old was born a stray in Russia and left to die on the streets (Caters)

“Considering everything they’ve been through, their spirit just constantly overwhelms me.

“They have so much love to give and they just want to be around people making them happy. They’re perfect.”

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