A Baltimore family is in mourning after helplessly watching their dog die on their front porch after it was shot in the neck with a crossbow.
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Jennifer Collier, the adopted German Shepard-beagle mix’s owner, said a family member let the dog out in the front yard around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 21. When the relative went to let the dog in, it was standing at the door with an arrow through its chest and neck.
The bloodied dog, named Bronx, died just moments later.
“Everybody thinks it’s pretty sick,” Collier told WJZ, who said she had no time to get Bronx to a veterinarian.
Collier adopted Bronx a year ago and the rescue dog quickly became a close companion of her eight-year-old son.
“They spent all their time together. He actually slept in bed with my son,” Collier said. “They were pretty much inseparable.”
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Now the family is wanting to know who is responsible for killing their beloved pet.
“I hope somebody can help me find the person that did this to the dog,” she said.
“It obviously is very cruel and we need to find justice for Bronx,” Washington County Deputy Carly Hose told WJZ. “It’s a horrible way for an animal to die.”
Police said in a statement that there was evidence the dog had been shot while standing on the porch of the family home.
Animal rights advocacy group, PETA, is also hoping a suspect can be found, and has offered US$5,000 for any information leading to an arrest.
In the meantime, Collier is still worried by the brazen act.
“I’m kind of afraid to leave my child outside in the yard,” Collier told WJZ. “If you could do this to my dog on my front porch. What about my child outside?”