Pet Adopted; Reward Still Offered in Dog Shooting Case

LONGVIEW � Life, as tough as it has been recently, was is looking up for Spike Dillinger. Officials with the Northeast Texas Humane Society say the pit bull mix would be adopted by a Longview couple early this week.

There was an outpouring of sympathy and support for the three-year-old dog rescued by Longview police and animal control officers Tuesday after he was found shot more than 30 times with a pellet gun. Valerie Mills, relocation manager for the humane society, said $3,500 has been raised to cover the medical bills for the dog, and a New York artist has pledged a portion of his sales to defray medical bills.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting a dog more than 40 times with a pellet gun. KETK reports that earlier this week, Longview Police officers found a brown and white male dog covered in blood near Richardson and Green Streets. Officers immediately called Longview Animal Control, who took the dog to the Humane Society of Northeast Texas. The dog was emaciated and had numerous pellets lodged into his skin.

A broken leash attached to the dog indicates that he may have escaped from his owners� yard or been taken. Officers also believe the suspect or suspects held the leash during the shooting so the dog could not escape. The dog has undergone surgery at Kimbrough Animal Hospital to remove his injured eye and is being treated for his wounds.

The Longview Police Department is currently investigating this incident. If anyone has information on the perpetrator of this crime he or she is asked to contact Longview Police Detective Melissa Dobbs at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous, he or she may call Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.