Mojo, a basset hound mix, was shot numerous times but harbors no ill will toward people.

“He’s super friendly for having such severe trauma,” Kathryn Kropp, owner and veterinarian at Companion Animal Hospital of Tamaqua, said Wednesday.

The 1- to 2-year-old dog came from a shelter in Alabama. He participates in the DAWGS Prison Program, which matches prisoners up with dogs to socialize and help inmates care for them. The program operates in SCI Schuylkill, SCI Mahanoy and SCI Frackville.

Kropp said X-rays show the metallic objects inside Mojo. Photos are on the Companion Animal Facebook page.

“These bullets are there for life. They don’t need to be removed. It would be more hurtful to try to remove them,” she said.

He was likely shot by a pellet gun.

“It’s really sad,” she said.

Kropp estimated the injuries are at least 6 months old. He has a fused hock, which is like an ankle, from being shot. Sometimes he doesn’t walk correctly because of it.

His chest, abdomen, ears, and hind legs also sustained damage.

Mojo’s second chance

Amy Eckert, who runs the DAWGS Prison Program, with her husband, Steve, said they get the dogs from the South in overpopulated shelters.

Mojo had been at a shelter, which she could not recall the name of, for months.

“Nobody showed any interest,” she said.

She said people told the shelter they saw the dog being shot.

“It’s horrible,” she said.

He is at SCI Frackville, where he has been enrolled in the program. He finishes July 7, having started June 9. Eckert said Mojo “loves meeting everybody.” He is a favorite of the inmates at SCI Frackville.

Classes last from four to six weeks based on the advancement of the skills the dog has learned including basic obedience training.

“A lot of the dogs are younger,” Eckert said.

At least 20 dogs are available for adoption.

Mojo has five or six potential adopters, but other dogs need loving homes.

Those interested in learning more can visit the Facebook page, DAWGS Prison Programs, email Eckert at muttlover25@yahoo.com or call 570-544-9663.