LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Police in southern Indiana are responding to a dog shot in the front yard of a home days before someone left antifreeze in several outdoor water bowls on the same street. Warning to pet owners.
The first incident occurred at a residence on South Fifth Street just before 7 p.m. on Feb. 18, according to a post on the Utica Police Department's Facebook page that includes surveillance footage of the shooting. The dog was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment.
Corporal Hunter Morrow said the family “ran outside and saw blood on the ground.'' They rushed the dog to a nearby hospital and had multiple x-rays done. As a result, we found what appeared to be a .22 long rifle bullet in his muzzle.” neck. “
Photos of the X-ray images show that the bullet lodged near the vertebrate in the dog's neck area. Morrow said the dog is expected to survive, but has a long road to recovery.
Two days later, on February 20, Utica Police posted a new notice on Facebook stating that “officers received a report of antifreeze in multiple dog bowls in the area of 5th Avenue.” In response, residents were urged to “contain all animals and keep them within sight when outdoors.'' ”
It's not far from where the dog was shot two days earlier, and police said the incidents are related. The day before police issued the second warning, they received a report that another dog bowl on the same property had antifreeze in it. The dog's condition is not good and you may have to put it down.
Veterinarian Dr. Amanda Brooks said antifreeze can cause crystals in the kidneys and stomach ulcers, which can often lead to death. She says there are three stages of symptoms.
“The first stage is like a drunken insanity,” Brooks said. “So the animals will act like they're drunk, like they're high. They'll wobble around and just look like they're not used to it. That's the first stage.”
Police in southern Indiana are warning pet owners after a dog was shot in a home's front yard days before someone left antifreeze in multiple outdoor water bowls on the same street.
Brooks said the next step is for the animal's body to start metabolizing the ethylene glycol found in antifreeze.
“It can reach the kidneys and form crystals in the kidneys, causing gastrointestinal ulcers, as well as severe dehydration that affects cells in the heart,” Brooks said.
Morrow said the incident has put the closely-knit town on high alert.
“Everyone here knows everyone,” Morrow said. “Many of them are family members and we all speak on a first-name basis. When something like this happens to someone, everyone knows everyone. I will react in some way,” he said.
The town called a meeting Wednesday night about the abuse incident. Frieda, the dog who was shot, was also there.
“I don't want something like this to happen to another dog,” said Frida's owner, Nathaniel Badgett.
Badgett is now hugging his beloved service dog a little tighter.
“She never leaves my side when I'm outside,” Badgett said.
She was shot just minutes after being in her backyard Sunday night. Badgett said she consulted Frieda last summer to help with her PTSD. He served in the Marine Corps for many years.
Police announced to the crowd gathered at the emergency rally that they had identified two persons of interest. One is an adult who was seen in the area during both incidents, and the other is a 17-year-old who police said had a previous conviction for shooting an animal. Neither will be identified until or unless charges are filed.
The poisoned dog is still recovering. Frida returned home the night she was shot. Mr Badgett said the bullet was still lodged in his neck and he was at risk of paralysis.
“When you look at her, you wouldn't believe someone shot her,” Badgett said.
Residents are urged to keep an eye on their pets and to immediately report any suspicious behavior to the Utica Police Department at 812-288-4357.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All rights reserved.
