Not disclosed

Yorkshire Terrier shot with pellet gun

Wichita, KS

July 18, 2006

An 8-month old Yorkshire terrier named Toma is recovering after being shot in the right front leg with a pellet gun.  Robbie Balog stated Toma and her other Dog Daisy, a Jack Russell terrier were with her outdoors on Tuesday evening while she fed her horses. The two dogs were barking and got a neighbor’s dog barking.  Balog saw a neighbor come out of his home, pull out a gun and shoot Toma.

Dr. Jennifer Sullivan at Blair Doon Veterinary Hospital in Wichita stated that a large pellet had lodged in the ulna and split it lengthwise. She was able to remove the pellet and fit Toma with a splint.

(Toma held by her guardian, Christa Gardner - Photo courtesy of Jaime Oppenheimer, the Wichita Eagle) Sedgwick County investigators are looking into whether the shooting of Toma might fall under a new animal cruelty law that came into effect on July 1, 2006, known as ‘Scruffy’s Law’ (a/ka Magnum’s Law).  If this allegation rises to the level of Scruffy’s Law, anyone found guilty of ‘intentional and maliciously’ killing or injuring an animal can be charged with a felony and face penalties of at least 30 days in jail and $500 to $5,000 in fines.  Scruffy’s Law is designed to keep people from committing cruel, horrendous acts toward an animal.

Scruffy, a Yorkshire terrier was tortured and killed in Kansas City, KS in 1997 and another dog, Magnum, was found in August 2005 in Wichita with cuts, chemical burns and a broken leg.  The abuse and subsequent death of Magnum led to wide community support for tougher animal cruelty laws.

It is unknown yet if Toma’s shooting will be considered a felony or a misdemeanor.

Reference:

Wichita Eagle