Who would shoot a 6-pound Chihuahua? Bay Area animal rights activists are hoping a $1,000 reward will lead to some answers.
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is offering the money to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who 4-5 year-old dog in East Menlo Park on or about Aug. 1.
Residents on the 1300 block of Henderson Avenue called the shelter on Aug. 1 to report the wounded animal, which was still alive, but unable to walk and in obvious pain, according to the Humane Society.
Upon examination, veterinarians noticed entrance and exit wounds on the dog’s hindquarters.
“X-rays confirmed the dog had a severed spine at the L5-6 (lumbar) vertebrae. The x-rays plus the entrance and exit wounds led PHS/SPCA’s medical team to conclude that the dog was shot with some kind of projectile,” the Humane Society said in a press release.
The dog was paralyzed from the waist down, leaving vets with no other choice but to humanely euthanize the Chihuahua.
The Peninsula Humane Society is hoping a tip from the public might lead to prosecutors filing felony animal cruelty charges against whoever’s responsible. Anyone with information that could help should call lead humane investigator Christina Hanley at (650) 340-7022, ext. 384.
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Neighborhood resident Shelia Webster has a Chihuahua of her own and says she’s concerned about her dog’s safety.
“I couldn’t imagine coming outside and seeing Lola with a bullet in her,” Webster said. “It’s bad enough to imagine a car hitting her.”
If someone is caught, they could face a $10,000 fine and up to a year behind bars.
Police said there are no leads in the case.
