Dog 'extraordinarily lucky' after being shot during break-in

Deputies are working to track down a suspect who not only broke into a Pinellas County home, but decided to shoot the family dog while inside.

Anubis, a 5-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback, is scheduled to undergo emergency surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Partners Hospital in Clearwater Tuesday after the incident Monday evening.

Anubis is currently in stable condition but has a bullet near his spine that must be removed.

"Surgery is very straightforward. Based on the location of the bullet, it should actually be really simple to remove," said Dr. Katherine Brammer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners.

St. Petersburg police say the burglary occurred in the 800 block of 15th Street S.

Chip Watson, the dog's owner, said he returned home from work Monday to find his sliding glass door broken and the dog covered in blood.

No arrests have been in the case.

Meanwhile, vets said Watson and Anubis are lucky the bullet missed vital organs.

"He's extraordinarily lucky. This could've been so much worse and the fact that he actually has an excellent outlook at this point, it's a miracle," said Dr. Brammer.

As the investigation continues, police ask anyone with information to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department.