A family have been left “beyond heartbroken” after their pet dog was shot dead in Co Down.
The five-year-old black Labrador, Storm, was reported missing by his owners last Wednesday, February 7.
He was last seen in the Commons Road area of Ballykinler, and the family posted a photo of Storm to a Facebook page for lost and found pets, stating their concern and urging anyone who had seen the dog to contact them.
However, in a devastating development, Storm was found dead in the Ballydonnell Road area on Monday, and police said the beloved pet had “sustained a gunshot wound”.
The dog was the pet of nurse Lynette Tumelty, her husband Gary, and their three children.
She told the Irish News that on the day Storm was reported missing, he managed to get out through the gate at their house before making off.
“We had only moved to the house before Christmas, and so Storm wouldn’t know his way around the area very well,” Lynette said.
“But once he got his nose to the ground, he would love to go exploring, and so we spent days combing the area looking for him. We were worried sick.
“My husband was the one who found him on Monday, and came across his body while looking in a field. Storm had a shotgun wound to the head, and Gary was just devastated to find him that way.”
Storm’s body was taken home to be buried in the family’s back garden.
Speaking of the impact on the household, she added: “It’s just so hard to come to terms with. Storm was the gentlest soul, a gorgeous, loving family pet who followed me around the house like a toddler.
“My youngest child cried himself to sleep last night, and when we woke up this morning, all three of the children were outside beside Storm’s grave. I just can’t understand why anyone would feel the need to do this. We’re beyond heartbroken.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “If you have any knowledge of the Labrador’s whereabouts during the aforementioned dates, or have any information regarding the circumstances leading to its death, we urge you to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1063 of the 12th of February, 2024.”
