In less than 24 hours, a Facebook page called Justice for Pepper, calling attention to a dog that was shot and killed in Alexander on New Year's Day, has garnered nearly 600 likes.
The description of the page says, "This afternoon, January 1st, our beloved dog Pepper was shot and killed by my dad's next door neighbor in Alexander NY. We are asking for your prayers."
Leah Gass, who created the page, said in a post that a deputy told the family there was nothing the police could do, but Gordon Dibble, chief deputy with the Sheriff's Office said the case is actively under investigation, but did not provide further information.
There is apparently video of the incident from the residence where the dog was shot, said Jen Gass, daughter-in-law of Pepper's owner, Greg Gass.
Jen was not at Greg's house when the shooting occurred, but rushed right over with the rest of the family when he called to tell them of the incident.
Jen said that apparently Pepper ran into the neighbor's yard in the Town of Alexander and before Greg could call her back or go get her, he heard gunshots and when he arrived within seconds, Pepper was already dead.
He dragged Pepper home.
"There was blood everywhere," Jen said. "It was awful, an awful thing that happened. She didn't deserve it."
In the cold of New Year's Day, the family helped Greg dig a hole in the frozen ground and bury Pepper.
"She was the sweetest little thing," Jen said. "She played with a little 5-year-old who pulled her ears and would play roughly, and Pepper never did anything about it. She played with other dogs and never had a problem. I know she's a big dog. She looks like a big dog and people can be intimidated, I guess, but she didn't have a mean bone in her body."
The person who shot Pepper apparently claimed Pepper was being aggressive, which is why the Gass family would really like to see the video from the surveillance camera.
"If anyone ever says anything to her like sit, stop, stay, she would lay down immediately," Jen said.
There may have been an incident the day before between Pepper, the neighbor and his two big dogs, but Jen was hesitant to discuss it since she wasn't at the house at the time.
"It was a terrible day for us," Jen said. "It was the first day of the New Year and Greg had to bury his dog. She was the sweetest thing. There was no way, shape or form that she was vicious."
The Batavian has not sought the neighbor's identity since he hasn't been charged with a crime.
surprised no one has
surprised no one has commented on this....I am so sorry to hear what happened to this dog. it breaks my heart and the person who shot it wow totally totally wrong. If you had a issue with the dog you call the damn authorities and have the matter looked into and they would of decided if this dog was a danger to others. You don't take matters into your own hands. This scares me to think every idiot out there can go around a shoot a dog just cos they are bothered by it...so wrong....Will pray justice is served in this case....
Nancy, people are probably a
Nancy, people are probably a bit "gun shy." After reading so many news reports over the years, I've learned that we never know the entire story.
its all over facebook and its
its all over facebook and its spreading fast id like to see video too.,.my...very sad for the family
I'll state my opinion. If you
I'll state my opinion. If you feel "threatened", call the police. I have seen in the paper, where the police were called when a person felt threatened. You live next door and you can't even call your neighbor? Come on. You can't pick up the phone to call the police?
There is already one "man" who tortured and killed a fur baby running around Batavia and has yet to be brought to justice. My opinion is, I hope this man gets charged with cruelty to animals.
Just my opinion.
OK, I tried to keep this to
OK, I tried to keep this to myself but gotta vent...
We live in Genesee County where 95% of the crime is petty theft/assaults/dwi...How many active Sheriff's do we have? How many investigators are there? Here's the most important question since these are paid salaries...how long could it possibly take to locate the person with the German shepherd in the designated area for which the cat was killed? Dog has to go to the bathroom. And how long does it take to investigate an idiot shooting a defenseless animal? Thank GOD we do not have actual crime in Genesee county. At that point, I'd feel safer living in the Bronx.
Investigate it and publicly divulge the findings. It was video taped. Should be an open and closed case. Gun Shy...who's gun shy not this guy. Thank goodness the 5 year old neighbor didn't wander into his yard instead. I have no doubt he'd shoot her as well since she too couldn't protect herself. He's obviously loose with the trigger finger.
I'm tired of kittens being tossed out of cars on a side road. Sick of puppies being left in boxes on the road. Why can't people naturally take responsibility for their actions?
This county is getting beyond ridiculous and I'm disgusted and frustrated with the lack of support from both the public as well as paid officials. Make an example of this guy if he's guilty. Do Something Anything and whatever it is, publicize it.
I'm sick and tired of hearing about this kind of behavior from adults in our County, and more importantly sick of hearing nothing is ever done to curve the behavior.
Here's a thought...if the fines were as high for animal cruelty as DWI, and the County and Lawyers reaped the benefits they do from DWI, I'm pretty sure it would deter that kind of behavior as it does for DWI. Create a commercial for animal cruelty in Genesee County with a 0 tolerance. What a novel idea and it only took me about 20 seconds to come up with it.
Thank you Teri Klein! I
Thank you Teri Klein! I totally AGREE with everything you've written!!!
The dog owner is way too nice
The dog owner is way too nice for not doing anything you take my family member I take yours animal or not
I'm always afraid when my dog
I'm always afraid when my dog gets loose (which doesn't happen very often, but it does) - that he'll get hit by a car, or since we live out in the country, that he MIGHT get shot - by a hunter, or just anybody afraid of dogs. I would FEEL so GUILTY for not keeping him home and under my control if he got hurt - by ANY means. Because he is MY responsibility ---- it's up to ME to keep him home and under control and safe.