Family Dog Shot and Killed by Hunter Who Claimed it Was a Coyote Deserves Justice

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Target: County of Berks District Attorney John T. Adams
Goal: Seek punishment of hunter who shot and killed family dog.

A family dog was shot and killed by a hunter and authorities are refusing to take action against the killer. The Heller family decided to go out for a little exercise with their 8-year-old Malamute pet dog. To be extra careful, the husband placed reflective collars and harnesses on their pet and they headed out on a “very commonly used walking path by our house” in Berks County, PA.

Like many people in the area who walk their dogs in the woods, the Hellers allowed their dog to get a little off-leash time. Soon after letting their pooch off-leash, a shot rang out from the woods and the dog fell to the ground, bleeding profusely.

The Hellers rushed their dog to the closest vet, but he unfortunately died before reaching medical care.

The Hellers have asked authorities to seek punishment of the hunter who fired the fatal shot at the pet dog, yet no action has been taken and no action is apparently planned. Northern Berks Regional Police Chief James Keiser said that since the dog wasn’t on leash that he would not seek any charges against the killer.

A representative from the Game Commission has voiced a similar position, indicating that he sees no wrong in the hunter’s actions.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear District Attorney John T. Adams,

The Heller family decided took their 8-year-old Malamute pet dog out for a little exercise. To be extra careful, the husband placed reflective collars and harnesses on their pet before they began their walk on a “very commonly used walking path by our house” in Berks County, PA.

Like many people in the area who walk their dogs in the woods, the Hellers allowed their dog to get a little off-leash time. Tragically, soon after letting their pooch off-leash, a shot rang out from the woods and the dog fell to the ground, bleeding profusely.

The Hellers rushed their dog to the closest vet, but he unfortunately died before reaching medical care.

So far, both the local police chief and the Game Commission have declined to take any action against the killer. Simply allowing one’s dog to go off-leash on a well traveled trail is not justification for a hunter to kill the animal. Hunters have a code and a set of responsibilities that were not met in this case.

We ask that you seek criminal action against the hunter who killed this dog.

Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Jennifer Heller

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