Reward Fund Created To Catch Killer of Dog on Rescue Farm
Heidi, a 7-month-old golden retriever was found shot to death Wednesday.
Middletown, Md. (WUSA) -- The reactions to the mysterious shooting of a golden retriever puppy on a fenced-in dog rescue farm in Frederick County have been swift and emotional.
Animal lovers from several states are logging on to contribute to a reward fund being established by Gold Heart Golden Retriever Rescue, in hopes of catching a suspect.
LINK TO REWARD INFORMATION HERE
Heidi, a 7-month old puppy was found shot to death Wednesday afternoon on a rescue farm owned and operated by Lynette Kaufmann on Station Road in Middletown. The puppy had been shot at least three times. The dog was found at about 2 in the afternoon after going missing for about three hours.
The dog was apparently shot by a trespasser on the farm, Kaufmann believes.
Frederick County Animal Control is investigating the incident, but there are no suspects, according to director Harold Domer. "It's very early in our investigation," Domer said. A bullet has been recovered from the body of the dog and is being held as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile Kaufmann says she is now living in fear after the daytime shooting of the puppy.
"I can't sleep at night," Kaufmann said. "We took the dogs out and were were petrified someone would take a shot at us."
Kaufmann says there have been no disputes with neighbors or complaints about her dogs, which are sent to the farm by Gold Heart Retriever Rescue.
The farm currently is home to 4 golden retrievers and serves as a foster care facility for animals that are abused or unwanted. One Gold Heart Rescue resident, Molly, is recovering from spinal cord surgery.
"Someone is just malicious," Kaufmann said. "This person has to be caught so it doesn't happen again."