Law enforcement searching for suspect after a Houston dog was shot and killed with an arrow. The dog died in College Station on Monday night while undergoing emergency surgery.
A Houston animal rescue group is mourning the loss of a dog who was found by animal control officials, shot through the neck with an arrow. Now local law enforcement would like to know who shot him.
The dog, named Archer by the RED Collar Rescue Group which took him in, died Monday night while undergoing emergency surgery at Texas A&M’s animal emergency clinic.
RELATED: Dog that was the star of a sad viral video finds a new loving home in Houston
According to the rescue group Archer was found in the yard of a northeast Houston home on Sunday afternoon in the 9800 block of Cheeves. Officials were called in to retrieve him and he began to undergo care.
«He was such a sweet, sweet boy,» said Charlotte Liberda, the president of the RED Collar Rescue Group, on Wednesday afternoon. «This was done to him with an intent to kill.»
He was wearing a collar and it’s believed that he belongs to someone but sadly it appeared he was not being taken care of. He was a year or so old and only weighed some 24 pounds. His exact breed wasn’t determined but he did have Labrador traits.
«He was emaciated, heart worm positive, and had not been chipped,» Liberda said. «He was not neutered either.»
The rescue group posted photos of early X-rays which showed that the arrow was lodged in the dog’s most vital organs including the liver and lungs. He was soon taken to Texas A&M veterinarians for urgent care. He underwent cardiac arrest during a subsequent surgery, according to the rescue group.
RELATED: Houston Humane Society seizes nearly 300 animals living in their own filth
In a press conference on Wednesday the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce said that Archer was shot with a hunting-style bow and arrow with a fiberglass arrow. They would like to find who did this to Archer or gather information from anyone who might know how it happened.
According to Houston Crimestoppers there is a reward available of up $7,500 for any information related to Archer’s death.
The suspect will face serious charges, according to officials. The fear with cases as severe as this is that the human perpetrator could also be a danger to people.
The rescue group said that Archer’s medical services have now totaled over $8,000 and they are taking donations in his name to cover the costs of medical care.
Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com .| craig.hlavaty@chron.com| Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message