Kansas police chief says officer's puppy targeted in 'dark, evil, heinous' crime
German Shepherd puppy shot, beheaded while officer slept inside home
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Kansas police chief said on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday a puppy belonging to one of their officers was killed in what investigators believe was a targeted attack.
The officer with the Parsons Police Department was off-duty when she reported on Dec. 3 that her three-month-old German Shepherd puppy, Ranger, had been shot and beheaded. It's believed the attack was targeted because of the officer's law enforcement career.
KANSAS POLICE OFFICER'S GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY BEHEADED IN TARGETED ATTACK, POLICE SAY
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ranger, a German shepherd belonging to a Kansas police officer, was beheaded in a targeted attack, authorities said. (Parsons Police)
"She left her purebred German shepherd in a fenced backyard with water, food, outbuilding, and it was an unseasonably beautiful day here in Parsons, about 73 degrees outside. She went to lay down, caught some shut-eye, woke up, went outside and she found the carcass of her beautiful little puppy, the head had been severed, the head has not yet been recovered. And also we found the muzzle of the animal," said Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks.
Spinks said based on the crime scene it appeared that one or more individuals broke into the backyard, then took the puppy to another location. He said they believe the attackers broke into the officer’s home to leave the remains.
"In my 41 years as a police officer, this is obviously a very dark, evil, heinous crime. Not only because of the animal cruelty, which is a felony in Kansas, but also because it’s obvious that our officer was targeted. Her patrol car was parked in the driveway. The suspect or suspects knew, saw this was an officer’s residence."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities initially offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. That ballooned up to $4,000 after incoming donations from residents.
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Those responsible could face felony animal cruelty and trespassing charges.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Spinks said people who kill animals typically have psychopathy that can lead to more violent crime. He added that animal abuse is a gateway crime for domestic abuse, child abuse, and murder.
"This is one of the reasons why we believe this is a very serious crime. Not just when you look at it as an attack against the defenseless animal but also a targeted attack against law enforcement."