A stray dog found on coal lands near Coaldale over the weekend may not have been just some stray after all.

The leashed Akita mix was found Saturday by several people who were four-wheeling on the property. They contacted the Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue group for help. TAAR volunteers went to the site and found the dog covered in mud and coal soot, staggering around, seemingly dazed and confused. A very small wound was found on the top of his head.Sue Shafer of TAAR says she at first thought the wound was caused by a tick or other type of bug bite. "It was really small and we thought his condition could have been caused by Lyme disease or something similar. He was really dehydrated."Unable to entice the dog to eat and watching him struggle to keep even water in his stomach, Shafer made the decision to turn the dog over to the Hillside SPCA. "He obviously needed veterinary care, something we are not equipped to handle," Shafer said.SPCA members were also unable to interest the pooch in food. Any water he did drink caused him to vomit. Rescuers gave him a name - Falkor.The vet ordered X-rays. The results stunned the rescuers. Lodged in the dog's head was a bullet fragment."We feel the dog is not just some stray," Shafer said. "Most likely, his owner decided to get rid of him by taking him to an isolated place and shooting him. If that was the case, the very least the owner should have done was make sure the dog was dead. Unfortunately for pets, the Pennsylvania Superior Court decided it was legal for a pet owner to euthanize their animal with a bullet, as long as it was done humanely. This certainly wasn't humane. If we can identify the owner, we will prosecute."Falkor is recovering, being closely monitored as he takes his fluids intravenously. The bullet caused some cranial nerve damage which has affected his left eye.Anyone wishing to donate to help defray costs for Falkor's care may make checks payable to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.Donations to TAAR may be mailed to 345 E. Elm St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.