Speaking to “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday, a Kansas police chief said a puppy belonging to one of their officers was shot and killed in what investigators believe was a targeted attack.
The officer who owned the dog reported on Dec. 3 that she was off-duty when her three-month-old German Shepherd puppy, Ranger, was shot and beheaded. Investigators believe the attack was targeted because of the officer’s law enforcement career.
“She left her purebred German shepherd in a fenced backyard with water, food, outbuilding, and it was an unseasonably beautiful day here in Parsons, about 73 degrees outside. She went to lay down, caught some shut-eye, woke up, went outside and she found the carcass of her beautiful little puppy, the head had been severed, the head has not yet been recovered. And also we found the muzzle of the animal,” said Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks.
Based on the crime scene Spinks s believe one or more people broke into the compound, took the puppy to another location, and then broke into the officer’s home to leave the remains.
“In my 41 years as a police officer, this is obviously a very dark, evil, heinous crime. Not only because of the animal cruelty, which is a felony in Kansas, but also because it’s obvious that our officer was targeted. Her patrol car was parked in the driveway. The suspect or suspects knew, saw this was an officer’s residence.”
Authorities initially offered to give a $1,000 reward to anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction. That offer has increased to a whopping $4,000 after incoming donations from residents.
Those responsible for the crime could face felony animal cruelty and trespassing charges.
Typically, folks who kill animals have psychopathy that can lead to more violent crime, Spinks said, adding that animal abuse is a gateway crime for domestic abuse, child abuse, and murder.
“This is one of the reasons why we believe this is a very serious crime. Not just when you look at it as an attack against the defenseless animal but also a targeted attack against law enforcement.”
