WASHINGTON — Police are actively investigating a shooting that left a puppy wounded in Southwest D.C. Thursday night.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, officers were in the area of M Street Southwest, by 3rd Street Southwest, around 7:50 p.m. when they heard gunshots. Officers then searched the area for a victim or shell casings.
Three .40 caliber shell casings were found in the rear parking lot of the area. Police then saw a trail of blood that led them to the rear door of 204 L Street Southwest.
When officers arrived, they found a 10-month-old Black Belgium Shepherd puppy suffering from gunshot wounds. Animal Control was called to the area to help the wounded dog, who appeared to have been struck three times -- once in the snout, once in the front right leg, and once in the back right leg. The dog was conscious and breathing at the time.
An incident report says the dog's owner spoke to officers and said his dog had been shot.
A GoFundMe has been started to help pay for the cost of medical treatment. The fundraiser surpassed its $12,000 goal in a matter of hours.
According to Terrance Moore, an employee at Veterinary Emergency Group on H Street, who started the fundraiser, the dog, named Double, is resting comfortably after emergency surgery. Moore says the pup now needs costly oral surgery, since it was shot in the face.
It remains unclear what led up to the shooting. The investigation is active and ongoing
Anyone with information may contact detectives at (202) 727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.
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