Ziggy the Staffordshire bull terrier honoured with award after surviving crossbow bolt through the head

Staffie was given a one-in-a-million chance of survival after he was found with a 20in crossbow bolt through his head

Ziggy with new owner Dominic and the vet (PA)

Another shaggy-dog story?

Ziggy the Staffordshire bull terrier has a tale worth hearing. The dog, who survived being shot through the head with a crossbow, has been honoured with an award after being rehomed following the attack.

Ouch, that’s quite an injury

The poorly Staffie was given a one-in-a-million chance of survival after he was found with a 20in (51cm) crossbow bolt through his head in woodland near Wansford, near Peterborough, last year. Ziggy, three, was discovered wandering alone in the park and was taken to a vet.

So what had happened?

“X-rays revealed that the bolt had deflected off the exterior of his skull, miraculously missing all vital blood vessels, nerves, his eye and his ear canal – it was a one-in-a-million chance that he survived,” said Cees Bennett, of Vets4Pets in Peterborough.

But he lived to tell the tale?

“Ziggy’s recovery was nothing short of astonishing. He was discharged just a few days later,” Ms Bennett added. “Within two weeks of having the surgery, it was hard to tell that anything had even happened to him.”

And now he’s a prize-winning pooch.

The RSPCA said no one had been prosecuted over the attack but Ziggy had moved on and was enjoying his new home, as well as the honour of being named PDSA Pet Survivor 2015.

What was his reaction?

Ziggy took it in his stride while his new owner, Dominic O’Hare, paid tribute to his “amazing survival spirit”. Mr O’Hare, of Watford, said: “Ziggy is such an incredible dog – despite everything he’s been through, he’s still incredibly trusting and affectionate. We are absolutely overwhelmed that he’s won the public vote to be been named PDSA Pet Survivor 2015.”