In Pottsville, Pennsylvania, a 30-year-old man was arrested on Saturday after authorities state he shot his friend’s German shepherd in the face for barking. The ten-year-old dog named Diddy has been hospitalized, and a bullet still remains lodged in the dog’s head. Anthony Holmes shot Diddy because the dog had been barking.
According to the Republican Herald, Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky stated authorities were called when four men, including the dog’s owner, were gathered at a friend’s home. When Holmes became annoyed at the dog barking, he shot Diddy in the face and fled the home. The dog, in a panic, also ran away, but was tracked down and rushed to an emergency veterinarian where he is reported to be in critical condition.
According to the Hillside SPCA, Holmes remains in custody in lieu of $15,000 bail.
“During an interview with police Holmes admitted to investigators that he had shot the dog with a revolver and had then hidden the weapon inside the home of an acquaintance. Holmes provided further information that enabled officers to recover the weapon.”
Holmes has been charged with Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal, Possessing Instruments of Crime, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Cruelty to Animal and Discharging a Firearm in the City. Holmes remains in Schuylkill County Prison at this time.
Diddy’s owner is unable to pay for his dog’s care, and the SPCA is raising funds to help. As of Monday’s update, Diddy remains in critical condition:
“Diddy is still regurgitating liquid. He is being monitored round the clock and is on pain medication, and antibiotics thru his IV. He is able to get up and move around, and go for brief potty breaks. An ultrasound will determine if may need to place a nasal-gastro tube to get rid of the fluid in his stomach, and this can also then be used to place nutrients in his body, safely, without worrying about further aspiration. Diddy only has one functioning nostril since the other one was destroyed by the bullet. If he stops bringing up fluid, there may not be a need for any of this which would be awesome!***”
It’s just not acceptable in our society to hurt an animal. If you can help, the information needed to donate is below:
“He is in critical condition. We are asking for your thoughts, prayers and – if your budget will allow – a gift of any size to Joe and Caroline’s Fund, the fund that you so faithfully support which enabled us to immediately say “Yes” to getting Diddy the emergency care he so desperately needed. Efforts to save his life have exceeded the initial estimate of $2,500. This event is currently under POLICE investigation. Our priority at this time is to help Diddy survive and give him a second chance at life. If, and when, additional details become available regarding this heinous act, we will keep our friends updated. Please keep Diddy in your thoughts and prayers. You can give a gift to Joe and Caroline’s Fund safety and easily online by going to www.hillsidespca.com/donate or you can mail your gifts to JOE and CAROLINE’S FUND, Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.