The V.I. Police Department is investigating the shooting of a dog Tuesday, an attack that required the dog be euthanized.
According to police, at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday the VIPD Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit received a call from the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center about a dog that had been brought to their facility with gunshot wounds to the body.
The owner of the dog told the Animal Cruelty investigator that at around 11 a.m. he was cutting grass in his yard in the area Clifton Hill when his dog, named “Pixie,” walked towards him, crying.
The man told police realized his dog was injured and brought it to the Animal Welfare Center, where a veterinarian determined the dog had to be euthanized due to the injuries from the gunshots. Further investigation revealed that the dog had been shot three times in the neck and chest area. X-rays showed no signed of projectile embedded in the dog’s body.
Investigators canvassed the area for evidence, but found nothing. Police released a photo of the animal, lying dead on an examination table, its white and black fur matted with blood.
Police have classified the case as first-degree animal abuse, and urged anyone with information to contact Animal Cruelty Investigations at 340-778-2211 Ext.6097, the 911 call center, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.