Coyote found shot in head, starving delivers healthy pups

In an April 3, 2016 photo, In April 3, 2016 photo, five pups that the coyote known as Angel, recently gave birth to sleep in an enclosure at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Solvang, Calif. Angel was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head when she arrived at Juloa Di Sieno's wildlife rehabilitation center recently. There, the coyote that was blinded by a bullet and near death when it was discovered in February, gave birth to five pups that di Sieno is now caring for. Di Sieno is also trying to prevent state wildlife authorities from euthanizing the animals. (Katie Falkenberg/Los Angeles Times via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT In an April 3, 2016 photo, In April 3, 2016 photo, five pups that the coyote known as Angel, recently gave birth to sleep in an enclosure at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Solvang, Calif. Angel was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head when she arrived at Juloa Di Sieno's wildlife rehabilitation center recently. There, the coyote that was blinded by a bullet and near death when it was discovered in February, gave birth to five pups that di Sieno is now caring for. Di Sieno is also trying to prevent state wildlife authorities from euthanizing the animals. (Katie Falkenberg/Los Angeles Times via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press April 13, 2016 2 min read

SOLVANG, Calif. (AP) – First, rescuers realized the emaciated coyote they pulled from the bottom of an empty reservoir had been shot between the eyes and blindly wandered a Southern California valley until it got trapped.

Then, X-rays showed the near-death animal was pregnant.

After a monthlong regimen of care, including intravenous fluids and vitamins, the coyote gave birth at an animal hospital to a litter of five healthy puppies.

Julia Di Sieno of the Animal Rescue Team in Solvang found the coyote in the reservoir after a call came into her hotline Feb. 11. The coyote was bleeding and having trouble breathing.

Di Sieno climbed down 30 feet into the stone-and-mortar reservoir and loaded the wounded animal onto a gurney. She named it Angel.