A dog who was shot and left for dead is finally realizing her happily-ever-after. Cupcake, named for her incredibly sweet personality, was rescued from a ditch in Hillsborough County, Florida – she was crying and barely able to walk when an off-duty police officer was alerted to her sad situation on the night of November 25.

As reported by ABC Action News, Cupcake’s hero is Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Master Corporal Shawn Helmer – the man who named her, and brought her to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center for help.

Cupcake is now being given the veterinary care that she needs and she even has a home waiting for her when she is ready – with Master Corporal Helmer’s law enforcement co-workers.  Deputy Cindy Rodriguez, and her husband Sam, intend to take Cupcake home as soon as they are able to. Rodriguez commented on the cruelty that Cupcake has survived:

“When something like this happens, you just can’t wrap your arms– your heart and your brain around an action like this.”

Finding whoever is responsible

Helmer wants to find out who hurt Cupcake, and hold them responsible. He told Bay News 9:

“I’d love nothing more than to figure out who did this and make sure they answer for it.”

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is hoping for leads – the agency wrote:

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in this case. Anyone with any information regarding the identity of the suspect(s) and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com, or send a mobile tip using the P3 Tips Mobile application. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for a cash reward.