He survived the unthinkable. A dog rescue crews say someone shot in the head was roaming around Rockcastle County for close to a week until an animal group saved him. Now the cost to get him the care he needs might be too much for the non-profit.

A Rockcastle County worker found a dog wandering alone this week, on the side of the road, with a festering, open wound to his head.

"There was a dog there that they did not want to put down, they were very reluctant because he was wagging his tail, and he was awake and alert," explained Kentucky S.A.V.E. member Anita Spreitzer, "I was really upset about it. Then got angry. We have seen so many cases like this in the past few months of abuse and neglect and it's just very overwhelming."

Kentucky S.A.V.E. named the dog Lincoln, and took him to Dr. Keaton Smith at the Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital in London for treatment. Dr. Smith says the shot never hit bone, just tore up all the tissue surrounding his skull.

Dr. Smith says the treatment Lincoln needs to heal is going to cost a lot of money.

"Probably about 15 to 17 hundred dollars total antibiotics, taxes, surgery, hospital care, pain medications," noted Dr. Smith, "I'm gonna need to do what's called a skin flap."

This isn't a procedure Kentucky S.A.V.E. can afford, so they're asking for help for Lincoln.

You can donate on their website KentuckySAVE.com or visit their facebook page, Kentucky S.A.V.E.