Authorities are investigating the shooting death of a 7-month-old golden retriever puppy Wednesday in Middletown, according to Frederick County Animal Control Director Harold Domer.
The dog’s name was Heidi, but Domer is not releasing any further information about where on her body she was shot.
“I will say to you the dog was shot more than once, and the hope is that somebody noticed something out of the ordinary, something suspicious or heard shots fired,” he said.
Animal Control Officer Rachel McVey went to the 2900 block of Station Road at about 2 p.m. Wednesday in response to a call from the puppy’s owners.
Three other golden retrievers were found on the property unharmed, according to Domer.
The shooting occurred between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Domer said. All four dogs were outside at the time.
The owners called for their dogs and puppy to come inside but got no response from the puppy, which was found dead on the property.
“It’s a house with a lot of acreage. This is not a normal city lot,” Domer said.
This is the second shooting death of an animal in the area within a week. Police and Animal Control officers shot and killed a bull Friday after it escaped from a meat processing plant in Mount Airy.
Authorities were allowed to kill the bull when it became dangerous.
Whoever killed the puppy could face animal cruelty charges.
A reward is now being offered in hopes of encouraging anyone who knows what happened to come forward.
“The Humane Society of the United States has offered a $2,500 reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this,” Domer said.
An animal autopsy is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, but the results are not expected to be made public until Monday.
Anyone with information is asked to call McVey at 301-600-1544.
WTOP’s Michelle Basch contributed to this report.
