Puppy Found Shot To Death In Gladstone

Owners of a puppy shot to death said they're worried the shooter might take aim on humans.

Justin and Nicole Boydston said they came home from work recently and found their 5-month-old puppy, Bella, dead in the yard. A pellet was found lodged inside the puppy.

"Walked out back, looked in the cage, she's laying there in a pool of a blood," Justin Boydston told KMBC's Chris Nagus. "It's hard right now. What do you say to your 6-year-old daughter? That somebody shot her dog?"

"She saw the blood; she knows her dog was hurt. She wants to know why somebody shot her dog," Nicole Boydston said.

The couple said they don't believe Bella's death was an accident.

"It had to be done on purpose," Justin Boydston said.

The Boydstons said they think the culprit lives nearby.

"That's one of our main concerns, that it's one of our neighbors, and how safe we feel continuing living here in this community," Nicole Boydston said.

Meanwhile, the couple's daughter is afraid to play outside.

Nicole Boydston said she wants someone to be held accountable for her dog's death.

"Honestly, I would like for them to look us in the eye and tell us how they could shoot that puppy, let her suffer and die," she said.

Police said the weapon used was an air-powered pellet gun.

Gladstone police said they suspect that kids might be responsible. Anyone with information in the case can call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hot line at 816-474-TIPS.

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