This is the moment animal shelter workers rescue a stray dog in the snow after it was found with a crossbow bolt in its head.

A resident of the village of Vasilyevo, located in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, noticed a dog with an arrow in its head and posted information about it on social media.

Photos of the unfortunate animal were shared in a local group and accompanied by a request to help catch the animal and take it to a veterinary clinic.

Information quickly spread, and volunteers from the city of Kazan went to find the dog.

Later that day, volunteers caught the injured animal, which locals named Strelka, and took it to a nearby veterinary clinic.

The female dog turned out to be a stray and did not allow people to approach it, but was forcibly captured in the snow on 22nd March.

According to the local media, the crossbow bolt was removed on the spot, and important organs were not affected.

Volunteers in the rescue operation said the dog only suffered muscle and tissue injuries and would soon recover.

After being treated, the dog will be placed in an animal shelter to await a forever home.

It is unclear if the local authorities are investigating the crossbow shooting.