Person Shoots Dog in Medford Yard

– Allison Goldsberry

Medford Police are investigating an incident in which a dog was shot dead in its owner’s yard on Governors Avenue on Thursday afternoon.

According to Lieutenant Paul Covino, police have identified a suspect but have yet to make an arrest. Lt. Covino said police have confiscated the suspect’s weapons and state license to carry a firearm. The police will likely be taking charges against the suspect.

According to a Fox 25 News story, Melissa Rodrigues is the dog’s owner. The dog, Mika, was a three month old Boxer mix.

Melissa Rodriques told Fox she can’t understand why someone would shoot her dog.

“She was small, she didn’t bite. She was in the house the whole time. No reason to shoot any animal, nevermind a puppy,” said Rodrigues.

Rodrigues was in her garage around 4:30PM on Thursday when Mika was shot dead while in the backyard.

Rodrigues told Fox she has no idea how this could happen to Mika, who she had only had for a month before the shooting.

“Whoever did it, I feel bad for them. Must be something bad going on with them for them to kill an innocent puppy,” said Rodrigues.

Lt. Covino said the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is assisting in the investigation and will be conducting an autopsy on the puppy.