A couple on Manitoulin Island is searching for answers after they say they had to euthanize their dog, Kodak.
"We want justice, like that dog was special." said owner Daniel Duval.
They believe the dog was shot by a pellet of some kind and had to be put down due to his injuries.
“The last searing image was, you know, was driving to the vet and him in immense pain you know. And that's just blinds us to every memory we have of him." said Duval.
He says his mother was the only one at home last Wednesday when she heard a loud bang coming from outside.
"She saw two guys with guns standing in the bush in between our one neighbour and this neighbour over here, and then she heard the second shot and she saw a bunch of deer take off from underneath our solar panels, that's also on our property. And then when she came outside to investigate, they went into their car. If you go outside, you can see the tracks where they parked and where they stood when they shot. Like you know there's a pellet in my dog, that's all I know." said Duval.
In an email, Ontario Provincial Police Constable Marie Ford had this to say:
"The consequences for someone injuring a dog could be wide ranging. If someone was out hunting and shot the dog, then they are looking at hunting regulation violations (MNRF), as well as possible criminal code violations relating specifically to firearms."
"I don't think it was deer hunters. These were poachers. There a clear definition between the two and we don't want to blur that line." said Duval.
Constable Ford says the OPP can't confirm that it was a firearm that caused the injury. She also says its bow hunting season and there should be no rifle hunters out right now.
She says there are no suspects and the investigation will continue.
