Sheriff: Dog Shot 6 Times Near Avon, Suspect Sought

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities are looking for the person responsible in a potential animal abuse case after a dog was found injured Monday morning after being shot six times.

Ron Kierzek first saw the dog in his yard on Sunday night and called Stearns County authorities. A deputy arrived the next morning.

"He had a few crackers and the dog smelled them but wouldn't eat them. We knew there was probably something wrong," Kierzek said. "It's just cruel. Cruel and inhumane."

A sheriff's deputy brought the dog to a veterinarian, who found that the dog had been shot four times in the face and twice in the hind quarters.

"Despite what he's gone through, he seems to be in good spirits," Anna Stratton of the Tri-County Humane Society said.

The veterinarian told authorities it is believed the shots were from a pellet gun. Several of the shots got through the dog's muzzle and broke its jaw.

As Stratton and others try to nurse this lab back to health, they're also trying to understand who would shoot him six times. Because he survived, they gave him the name "Remington."

"He's just the sweetest dog," Stratton said. "He's the epitome of what you would want in a loyal companion. He loves attention, loves to be pet, loves people."

That's why Chief Deputy Bruce Bechtold wants to find the owner and figure out who did this. He believes whoever shot Remington did it at close range, and may have even had help.

"To shoot the dog four times in the face, the natural reaction would be to flinch or run," Chief Deputy Bechtold said. "You almost have to be holding it to shoot it four times in the face."

There were no tags on Remington and no report of any missing dogs in the area. He has been treated and is now being housed by Stearns County. Remington is on pain medication and can only eat wet food right now, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

Authorities are looking for the owner of the dog and the person responsible for the dog's injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call the Stearns County Sheriff's Office at (320) 251-4240.

Because this is such a unique animal cruelty case, the Tri-County Humane Society is taking any donations they can get.