Two Dogs Shot in Separate Incidents in Parsons
On Thursday, September 22nd at 11:37 am Parsons Police responded to a report of a shot dog in the 1500 Block of Grand. Witnesses provided varying descriptions of a White Male, in Camo clothing with a black backpack. The age range given was between 20 and 40. At least one pistol shot was fired. The victim dog was a pit bull type animal and had three legs. It suffered a bullet wound to one of its legs. A veterinarian later euthanized this animal.
Police responded and conducted a grid search of the area. One subject was stopped and detained by officers, but a witness was not able to identify this individual as the suspect. Police were not able to connect this individual to the dog attack.
Due to the proximity of Garfield School to the shooting location, school administrators placed the school on a partial lockdown. The school told parents that exterior doors remained locked and manned by school personnel. No persons were allowed in or out for a 45-minute period.
Officer Christian Smith and K-9 Morgan were deployed to assist in trying to track the suspect. A track was established that lead to an abandoned house, but the suspect was not located there.
Police are asking residents in the area of 1500 Grand and the surrounding area to check their Ring/Blink or CCTV footage to see if there is any usable video that might have pictures of the suspect in the neighborhood.
This continues to be an ongoing investigation. The suspect is wanted for a felony charge of Cruelty to Animals in the 1st Degree and discharging a firearm in the city limits.
A second attack on a dog occurred just before 7 pm and police responded to the 2600 Block of Stevens, on the west side of town approximately 1.6 miles to the NW of the first animal attack.
In this attack, a pit bull was shot one time. This animal was taken by its owner to a local veterinarian and appears that it will survive after surgery. Police again responded to the area and conducted a grid search. So far, no witnesses have been located and no one reported hearing a shot being fired.
Again, neighbors living in the area of this attack are being asked to checking/Blink or CCTV cameras for any video of any suspicious persons(s) on foot in the area of the attack.
Police are looking into any similarities to prior attacks on dogs that occurred at the end of 2021 in the Winway area of town. There remains a $34,000 reward (plus a separate $5,000 reward offered by PETA) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of these felony Cruelty to Animal cases.
Parsons Police Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd said, "I am passionate about bringing these people to justice. The unlawful killing of animals in this city needs to stop. The two dogs yesterday were both pit bulls, and it can only be speculated that the shooter or shooters were targeting a specific breed. Until we have all of the facts we will not know for sure."
All city residents are encouraged to report any suspicious individuals in neighborhoods immediately to the police. With darkness coming earlier in the evenings, city residents are encouraged to install LED night lights and to keep exterior house lights on at night. Ring/Blink and CCTV products can be extremely useful in deterring crime and in identifying criminals who commit crimes in residential areas.
This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.
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