Clues sought in animal abuse case

The canine was wounded by an arrow and had be euthanized.


[Photo courtesy Marion County]

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Posted January 30, 2025 | By Andy Fillmore, [email protected]

Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Marion County Animal Services officials are seeking the public’s help to find the person or persons responsible for fatally shooting a family dog with an arrow in southeast Marion County.

According to a county press release, the owner found the family dog on a porch with an arrow lodged in her body on Jan. 26.

The dog’s owners rushed the injured dog to a UF Veterinary Hospital in Ocala but, due to the severity of the injuries, she had to be euthanized, the press release stated.

A witness near the intersection of Southeast 2nd Place and Southeast 170th Avenue reported seeing “two men leaving the area on Jan. 26, in a brown, 1970s-‘80s Ford F-150 with wooden boards along the truck bed,” the release noted.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners declared January 2025 as Marion County Animal Abuser Registry Awareness Month. The database is maintained by MCAS and lists individuals convicted of criminal animal abuse in the county. To access the registry, go to animalservices.marionfl.org/animal-control/animal-control-and-pet-laws/animal-abuser-registry

Anyone who suspects animal cruelty can call MCAS at (352) 671-8727, the MCSO at (352) 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at (352) 368-7867. Anyone with information about the dog shot with the arrow is asked to call Crime Stoppers and leave an anonymous message.

[Photo courtesy SPCA of Ocala]

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