St. Louis, MO  (KTRS) Stray Rescue of St. Louis is calling a recent rescue one of its most tragic cases for the year.

A call came in on Thursday about an injured dog in north St. Louis on Jefferson and Sullivan. When the Stray Rescue team arrived they found a severly emaciated dog with a gunshot wound to the face, which left about half his muzzle gone.

“It is rare that I cry during a rescue, but today I did. I named the dog Nickels, and he will need your prayers. He was starved almost to death and was shot in the face at point blank range. Half of his muzzle is gone. That is what makes me cry; knowing this gentle soul lived through torture at the hands of man and now is fighting to live. I told him he is loved, and I am with you all the way until you’re well. I love all of them, but this one filled me with such sadness and got me to the core of my heart.” said Stray Rescue Founder Randy Grim.

“Let’s find those responsible for mutilating and starving Nickels.” added Grim.

Nickels is being cared for a Stray Rescues’ trauma center. Anyone with any information on this case is urged to call St. Louis Police or Stray Rescue of St. Louis at  314-771-6121.

For Nickels’ full story go to http://www.strayrescue.org/DDOS.

In the meantime Stray Rescue is launching its  its Dog Days of Summer $50,000 Matching Grant Campaign today. Grim said this fundraiser couldn’t be more timely with the rescue of Nickels.

“I cried as I rescued Nickels. It broke my heart. It has been a horrific, hot summer with so many needy cases, and we need the community to donate now to help us save these innoncent lives. The grant is a Godsend and the perfect time to get your donation matched.” said Grim.

Donations can be made online at www.strayrescue.org.