Target: Rachel Mitchell, Prosecutor for AZ Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
Goal: Prosecute man accused of shooting and almost killing neighbor’s dog to fullest extent.
A family dog playing with a child in his yard was allegedly the victim of a heinous and unprovoked assault. The mother of the child reported that the boy came into the house frantic, saying that their puppy Falco had been shot. When the woman went outside, she was greeted by the shocking sight of Falco moving around the premises in distress, with blood and a swollen face. He showed signs of struggling to breathe. She took her pet immediately for aid. A veterinarian reportedly removed a bullet that had passed through the dog’s nasal area and lodged around his tongue. Although Falco is recovering, he apparently still has bullet fragments inside him and is unable to bark.
A neighbor, Matthew Patrick Wazny, has since been charged with the alleged shooting. According to reports, the man may have been angered after a different dog bit him earlier in the day and presumably shot at Falco from outside the family’s fence. He was also seemingly intoxicated at the time of the incident. The reported shooting is even more disturbing because the young child could have been injured as well.
Charges of animal cruelty have been filed. Sign the petition below to demand full accountability in this disturbing case.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Prosecutor Mitchell,
“It could have been my son.” These were the words Hailey Hernandez delivered after her pet Siberian husky was allegedly shot in the face by Matthew Patrick Wazny. Given that her son was reportedly playing in the yard with their dog Falco at the time the alleged shooting happened, her fears are well-founded.
Although the child was spared, he was still likely traumatized watching as his pet was apparently shot for no reason. And the young animal himself will seemingly endure an agonizing recovery that may never bring him back to full health. Wazny needs to face serious repercussions if he is deemed guilty of this horrendous act.
Please seek the maximum possible penalty and show that the punishment fits the alleged crime.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Lucas Andrade
Glad he never got my kitty, Mr. Bojangles
I heard he punches horses. I keep him away from my farm.
I’m sitting there, minding my business, and this belligerent drunk comes yelling at me so I bark like “what’s up?” Dude pulls out a gun and shoots me right in my snout! Total hothead.
Matt beat me a few years ago and got off the hook. He is a very violent drunk and should t own firearms let alone be walking the streets.