A 15-year-old golden retriever-mix was was shot by someone using a pellet gun while in the fenced backyard of a home on Monticello Way. It was euthanized Tuesday night.
The dog's owners and neighbors said they heard what they believed was a gunshot about 10 p.m., said Morgan Hill police Special Operations Sgt. Jerry Neumayer. The dog, named Daffy, was near the back door of the home at the time it was shot.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the dog's owners wrapping it up to take to an emergency veterinarian, Neumayer said. At that time, the owners and officers thought the dog was shot with a .22-caliber weapon.
"We don't know if it was a neighbor or just someone passing by," Neumayer said. "We also don't know why it happened."
The veterinarian found a pellet lodged in the Labrador's spinal cord and believe the dog would be paralyzed if it was removed.
The family elected to euthanize the dog.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident. Charges against the person who shot the dog could include felony animal cruelty and violation of a municipal code prohibiting discharging of any firearm within the city limits.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Det. Ken Howard at (408) 779-2101 or call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers tip line at (408) 947-STOP.
Marilyn Dubil Marilyn Dubil covered education and law enforcement for The Times.
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