( CNN ) -- A Kentucky Chihuahua is expected to make a full recovery after a freak accident that left a large barbecue fork lodged in his head for days , according to the animal hospital where he was treated . During a family gathering two weeks ago , 12-week-old Smokey was waiting to be fed as his owner used the fork to shoo another dog away from Smokey 's food , Su Smith , vice president of Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital in London , Kentucky , wrote in an article on the hospital 's Web site . As owner Vickie Brumley of Manchester , Kentucky , waved the fork , the handle broke off and the fork end was flung through the air , embedding itself several inches into Smokey 's head . Smokey immediately ran into the woods , Smith wrote . For two days , his owner 's family searched for him despite bad weather and finally came to the conclusion that he had either died of his injury or been killed by wildlife . Brumley 's brother , Hughie Wagers , was visiting his sister and sitting on the porch when Smokey came up the driveway with the fork still sticking out of his head , Smith wrote . He rushed him to the animal hospital . `` They arrived at 6:59 p.m. , right as we were about to lock up , '' hospital staffer Michelle Duncum told CNN . `` Mr. Wagers walked into the hospital and asked if we could please help him . '' Staffers were shocked when they saw Smokey , she said . `` We had never dealt with anything like this before . '' Veterinarian Keaton Smith knew Smokey 's treatment might be expensive and spoke with Wagers about options , Smith wrote . Keaton Smith offered to treat Smokey at the hospital 's expense if Wagers allowed the hospital to call media outlets about the Chihuahua 's story . However , staffers wanted to make sure Smokey would live through the night first before calling anyone , Su Smith said . It only took the veterinarian about 30 seconds to remove the fork from Smokey 's head , Duncum said . And when the veterinarian arrived at the hospital the next morning , July 8 , he found Smokey `` recovering much better than expected , '' Su Smith wrote . Smokey has been advised to take it easy for a few weeks , but is expected to fully recover , Duncum said . The Chihuahua 's owner did not immediately return a call seeking comment from CNN . `` Dr. Smith asks everyone who believes this is a cruelty case to 'please back off ' and stop jumping to unfounded conclusions , '' Su Smith wrote . `` If you have never had an accident of any kind , you may cast the first stone , but there will be no criminal charges filed in this case . ''
The bullet accidentally got stuck in Chihuahua 's chest . Smokey ran into the woods , owners could n't find him for two days . Pet is ` ` so much better than me , '' vet says .