Case Snapshot
Case ID: 11181
Classification: Shooting
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
More cases in Fairfax County, VA
More cases in VA
Animal was offleash or loose
« Back to Search Results
Login to Watch this Case

New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!



For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.



Thursday, Mar 29, 2007

County: Fairfax

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A dog is fighting for his life after being shot on March 29.

On March 29 at about 8:30 a.m. the owners of Rocky, a yellow Labrador, noticed their gate was open. They found Rocky shot in a neighbor's yard. A metal pellet had gone through Rocky's heart and lungs and lodged in his forepaw.

The 11-year-old dog was rushed to a veterinarian and underwent two hours of surgery.

Police said it is a felony crime.

The bills for Rocky's care are at $8,000. To help with the expenses, make donations to the Hope Center for Veterinary Medicine by calling 866-PETS-911. The Humane Society has already donated $1,000.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Fairfax County police


Case Updates

An 11-year-old yellow Labrador named Rocky is back at home after he was found shot in a neighbor's yard last week in Fairfax County.

Rocky's owners noticed their gate was open last Thursday about 8:30 a.m. They said they found Rocky in a neighbor's yard. They said a metal pellet had pierced Rocky's heart in two places and punctured his lung. They said it lodged in one of his forepaws.

The dog was rushed to the Hope Center, a veterinary hospital in Reston, Va., and surgeons performed two hours of emergency surgery.

One week later, Rocky's wagging tail said it all as he was released to his owners to return home.

Veterinarian surgeon Dr. Anke Langenbach said Rocky should live a normal life.

"His heart is doing fine. He had a lot of arrhythmias in the beginning, but they have gone away. He's able to hold his own," she said.

Rocky's owners asked not to be identified because the person who shot their dog has not been caught. They told News4 reporter Megan McGrath that they are thrilled to have him back.

"He's back to being his playful, friendly, lovable self," one of his owners said.

Rocky's medical expenses totaled more than $10,000, which the family could not afford. They said very generous people donated money and the bills have been paid.

Investigators are still looking for the person who fired the pellet at Rocky. They said it's a felony crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fairfax County police.
Source: NBC News - April 5, 2007
Update posted on Apr 6, 2007 - 6:51AM 

References

  • NBC 4 - March 30, 2007

« Back to Search Results
« VA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Fairfax County, VA

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.