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Sarah Dallof reportingSaratoga Springs police are trying to find whomever shot and killed a 2-month-old puppy in its own backyard. "I don't know who is sick enough to do something like that. It's devastating," the dog's owner said.
The case is similar to another that happened Friday in West Jordan, in which a 1-year-old yellow lab was shot and killed. The cases come as legislation is introduced on Capitol Hill proposing tougher penalties for animal cruelty. Senate Bill 117 makes animal cruelty a felony on the second offense. These dog owners believe that's too lenient.
Gage, Ruger and Dakota aren't themselves today. Their owner, Bryce Ballantyne, said, "They haven't been eating their food." The latest addition to their canine family, a 2-month-old bluetick coonhound puppy, Henry, was shot Friday night. Henry was so new, owners Bryce and Becca hadn't had a chance to take photos.
There were no footprints leading to the kennel, only snowmobile tracks. Investigators combed the backyard and didn't find the bullet. The Ballentynes worry about what could have been, because a playground is just a few yards away.
Becca said, "It could have easily ricocheted off our house or the fencing and hit an innocent child, and killed a child."
Friday there was a similar case in West Jordan. Jeff and Debra Stoddard found their 1-year-old yellow lab, Bert, dead in the backyard. He'd also been shot. Debra Stoddard said, "I think it was murder. Most pet owners will tell you their animals are like their children."
Saturday, West Jordan police say they've finished interviewing neighbors and are confident none had anything to do with Bert's death. They say they'll be contacting Saratoga Springs police to discuss any similarities between the two cases.
The Ballantynes are offering a reward for information leading to a conviction.
Both the Stoddards and the Ballantynes are aware of proposed legislation that aims to make animal cruelty a felony on the second offense. For both couples, it's not enough. Bryce Ballantyne said, "We think the book should be thrown at them."
Senate Bill 117 has passed a Senate committee and is waiting to be heard by the full Senate.
