SUSSEX COUNTY, Va. — The Wakefield community is rallying behind an 87-year-old woman after her 8-year-old companion dog, Sierra, escaped during Fourth of July fireworks, was found dead two days later in a ditch near the Wakefield Airport — killed by a gunshot.
Wakefield resident George Turner said the death has shaken the neighborhood.
"It's very much heartbreaking," Turner said.
Sierra had spent her entire life with her owner, and those who knew them understood what the dog meant to her.
"This was her companion animal. She's in her 80's. She's a wonderful lady and a nice family. And she relied on this dog for companionship," Turner said.
Sierra was skittish around fireworks. On the night of July 4, she escaped from a tall, privacy-fenced backyard.
"Everybody in that neighborhood looked and tried to help find it," Turner said.
On July 6, Sussex County Animal Services received a call about a trash bag on the side of the road near the Wakefield Airport.
"We were called for a trash bag on the side of the road, there were vultures that were around the bag," Traci Pillsbury of Sussex County Animal Services said.
The bag contained Sierra's body.
"The dog did have on a collar, that had the owners name and phone number of it," Pillsbury said. "It has been determined that the dog was shot."
The discovery left the community and animal services workers searching for answers.
"I have no idea why anyone would want to kill, that dog was so sweet," Turner said.
Pillsbury said the case has resonated deeply with the community.
"Everybody is very upset at the fact that it could have possibly been their dog that got out accidentally and this happened to their dog," Pillsbury said.
Authorities believe the person responsible is familiar with the area.
"We think that it's someone local to the Wakefield Area," Pillsbury said.
"Whoever killed that dog, knew exactly where to dump that dog," Turner said.
A $2,500 reward is now being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible, made possible through the Tommie Fund via Richmond Animal Care & Control. Family members have said they will match that amount, bringing the potential reward to $5,000.
"The people offering the reward, God bless them for that," Turner said.
Anyone who wants to contribute to the reward fund can contact Christie Peters with Richmond Animal Care & Control to add to the Tommie Fund.
Anyone with information about Sierra's death can call 434-246-5000 and press option 1.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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