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$5K reward for arrest and conviction of Guam dog killer
A $5,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing a pet dog in Guam.
“Sumo,” a gentle 8-year-old blue Doberman, accidentally wandered away from home last Friday, April 12. Within hours, he was found shot dead, less than 200 yards from his home on Lily St (off Alageta St.) in Dededo.
“Sumo was a big brother to my daughter. He was a family member,” said Dave Silva, Sumo’s owner.
He explained that Sumo had wandered off Friday morning, likely through a gate accidentally left open. Upon realizing he was lost, Sumo’s family began a frantic search, only to find he had been shot and killed.
Undated file photo shows Sumo relaxing at his owner’s home. (Contributed Photo)
“He was a gentle old dog, just trying to find his way home,” said Silva. Sumo was a well-kept dog with a collar.
“He was trained and could do tricks. We took him to the beach, and he socialized regularly with people,” Silva added. “He was so close to home. He almost made it back.”
A local veterinarian examined Sumo’s body, and determined the bullet wounds appear to be from a small caliber weapon, in a body location intended to kill him. Nearby workers heard a dog cry out sometime around midday on Friday.
“We remind everyone that it’s illegal to shoot a dog. The only exception is if you’re defending your life or livestock against a vicious animal,” said Guam Animals in Need board president, Cyrus Luhr. “It’s never okay to shoot a dog because it’s lost or stray. Wandering away from home shouldn’t be a death sentence.”
If you have any information on this, call the Guam Crime Stoppers at 477-4357; Dededo Precinct at 632-9808; or Silva at 777-2668. (PR)
