27-05-2025
Dog gunned down in remote Frailey Twp.
FRAILEY TWP. — State police at Schuylkill Haven are asking for the public's help in identifying who is responsible for shooting a dog in Donaldson.
While on a walking trail in a secluded wooded area off Fountain Road Sunday, a family found the recently killed dog, described as a healthy adult black Labrador retriever mix, authorities said.
The intact male dog, wearing a rusted chain-type collar, was found around 1:30 p.m., police said. It appeared the dog had been shot at least seven times, said Becky Worth, shelter manager for Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, who went to the scene.
Bullet casings, which are believed to be from a .45 caliber weapon, were found at the scene, Worth said. All appeared to be from the same gun. The dog's body was not yet stiff from death, and other than the rusty collar he had no other identifying items, Worth said. He was not microchipped.
Worth said she and Shannon Shuttlesworth, vice president of the board of directors of Ruth Steinert, walked about 1/4 a mile down a path to find the dog after a family made the gruesome discovery.
The lab mix, estimated to be between seven and eight years old, was found in the leaves, still bleeding from his wounds, Worth said.
'It looks like they shot him in the legs and went down his body,' she said of the multiple bullet wounds.
The dog's fur was clean, his nails trimmed and teeth in good condition.
'He didn't appear to be in bad health,' she said.
'I just don't know how someone can live with themselves,' she said of whoever is responsible for the dog's shooting death.
A post on the shelter's Facebook page surmises the dog might have been excited to go for a walk on that Sunday.
'Shame on you. Shame on every single person who was there,' the post reads. 'Shame on anyone who knew and stayed silent.
You didn't just kill a dog — you betrayed a soul who only knew how to love,' the post reads.
The shelter goes on to say the death of the dog will not be forgotten.
'We are heartbroken. We are disgusted. And we are furious. This kind of cruelty is inhuman, and it will not be ignored. You will remember his name. And you will remember ours.
Because we will not stop. We will not let this go. Justice will be served.'
Dealing with disturbing cases elicits strong emotions for animal welfare workers, Worth said Tuesday.
'It's hard. It's really hard,' she said.
Multiple pledges totaling $1,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest in the case have been posted on a concerned resident's Facebook page.
Contact state police with any information about the dog and its death by calling 570-754-4600. All information will be kept confidential.
Donations are being accepted toward the cost of cremating the dog. To donate, call the shelter at 570-345-3540, stop by the shelter at 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove.
The investigation is continuing, police said.
