Goose named 50 Cent after surviving 7 gunshots

An Arkansas goose who was shot seven times and survived has been named after rapper 50 Cent by his rescuers. (right: Ethan Miller/Getty Images, left: Images by Barbara, iStockphoto)One lucky duck, er, goose is getting his 15 minutes of fame this week after surviving an incident that left him with seven gunshot wounds and the nickname 50 Cent.

The goose was brought to All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in Arkansas with a damaged wing last month, the Baxter Bulletin reported on June 12.

Veterinarian Rob Conner said an X-ray showed the goose had been shot seven times with a pellet gun. Fortunately for the fowl, none of the shots proved fatal.

After the damaged wing was treated, workers at the clinic decided to name the goose Tupac, after the rapper who was shot to death in 1996.

"Tupac died though," Conner told the Bulletin. Rapper 50 Cent, on the other hand, survived nine gunshot wounds in 2001. "So we named him 50 Cent," Conner said.

While it is unclear why the bird was shot, Conner speculates that it was likely a citizen trying to shoo him away.

"Sometimes, people get upset because the geese go to the bathroom everywhere," he told the Bulletin. "There's got to be a better way to shoo them away, pepper spray or something."

The goose will remain in the clinic with Conner's team until he makes a complete recovery, as which point he will be adopted out to a good home.

"He needs a water source like a pond or something, a food source and, most of all, good people," Conner said. "He likes people and he's a pretty cool little animal."

How did you decide to name your pet? Share your stories below!