COCOA, Fla. — Cocoa police are trying to track down whoever shot and injured a family dog while the animal was in a fenced-in back yard.
Riley, a 3-year-old chow mix, might lose his paw after Saturday night’s shooting, the dog’s owner said.
Loretta Hawkins, the grandmother of 8-year-old Jonathan, said she's grateful the boy wasn’t in the back yard on Fiske Boulevard when someone opened fire on the dog.
“They’re like brothers, you know. They are really, really close. We didn’t explain to him that (the dog) was shot. We just told him Riley had been hurt,” said Hawkins.
Jonathan is a special-needs child, and his grandmother said Riley helps him communicate.
“We don’t know if they will have to amputate the foot or if they will be able to repair the foot,” said Hawkins.
Riley’s family started a GoFundMe account because they are worried about the veterinary bills, which have already totaled hundreds of dollars. It could be more if Riley's paw has to be amputated.
“We pray that someone comes forward,” said Hawkins. “So it doesn’t happen to someone else’s dog, or even a child. We thank God that Jonathan wasn’t in the back yard with him when it happened.”
Cox Media Group
