Two dogs were shot and dumped in plastic garbage bags in Hernando County, deputies say.
On June 8, a Hernando Sheriff's Office Animal Enforcement Officer (AEO) responded to the area of Plymouth Rock Drive and Wilford St. in Ridge Manor to investigate a report of two dead dogs that had been dumped in the area.
They were both partially covered/contained in black plastic garbage bags and were in the early stages of decomposition.
One of them reportedly had severe injuries on his body and what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. The AEO says the dog's body displayed signs of being in a freezer prior to being dumped.
The other dog, a female, had no obvious signs of injuries except what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.
Authorities say both dogs were described as what is commonly referred to as pit bulls.
Deputies do not have any suspect information or leads in this investigation.
If anyone has information they believe will lead to the identity of the person(s) responsible for this crime, please contact the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at 352-754-6830.
Deputies believe the dogs were used for dog fighting and dumped once they were deemed of no use to the owner.
Authorities also believe the person(s) responsible for the crime could be from outside the area.
Previous investigations have revealed that people travel from as far as other states to engage in dog fighting and/or to dump dogs.
