A not so happy ending to a lost pet

A not so happy ending to a lost pet

On Nov. 10, my dog of eight years got loose from his chain. Like usual I waited that night to see if he would be on my deck, but no “JD,” my goofy boxer. I started making signs and put it in the Courier Nov. 11. I let my neighbors know to keep an eye out.

I put signs up everywhere I could think of. I started thinking he could’ve got kicked by a deer, so I walked my pasture and looked in ditches. I never saw him. I stopped by the house at lunch and night again: no JD.

I put up a sign at Dr. Thomas’ vet business, thinking if hurt, someone would bring him to the vet.

I went to the sheriff’s department and let the deputy on duty know. He said they would keep an eye out, too.

On Nov. 12 around 3:20 p.m., I got a call from Dr. Thomas’ office. A friend of mine said she knows where he is, so I hurried there. If he was there, I would have heard him. It was silent. The lady there told me to go to 170th Street, and directions, and my friend asked me if he had a blue collar on. I said yes in a choked up way.

I said, “It’s him.” I got on 170th Street and there he was — shot and dumped on the side of the road.

This dog I have had for eight years wouldn’t hurt anybody. He was shot and dumped with another dog, an English bulldog — his was in the neck.

I cried, yelled and cursed. It didn’t do me any good, but it helped. I put him in my car and took him to Eastview Animal Hospital to confirm it was a gunshot.

The next day I pulled down my signs. Everyone asked me, “Did you find him?” Some I looked at; they knew. Some I had to tell.

I went back to the sheriff’s station and talked with another deputy on duty. He wasn’t aware. I told him the story and showed pictures of the dogs. He told me there are poachers and stupid people that randomly shoot just to shoot.

If you live in the country and a dog or any animal is on your property, try to shoo it off by any means. Shake something, yell, shoot up in the air. They will probably go home. Or, call the sheriff. You don’t need to shoot it and dump it. It’s someone’s pet.

If you are the person who shot my dog and the other one because it could’ve been doing damage or hostile, please have a conscience and speak up — that’s an accident.

If you’re randomly shooting animals for the fun of it, you will be caught and prosecuted.

And for all that helped me in any way, THANK YOU.

Laura Morrison

Ottumwa