Reward offered in Emblem dog shooting

Animal Wellness Action, based in Washington, D.C., is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for shooting two dogs in separate drive-by incidents in Emblem. The action comes following an article from Cowboy State Daily that reported on the  matter. 

Despite CSD’s reporting, Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call rather than Park County. BHCSO public information officer Kerri Angell relayed that an officer responded to the home of Jayson Araiza and Tessa Walbert on April 11 and found that their dog, a pitbull named Rocco, had wounds on its face and neck that appeared to be from a shotgun. 

The sheriff’s report states that the reporting parties did not hear or see the alleged shooting, and no shell casings were found on the property. Araiza said that the dog had not left their property, though there had been conflicts with their neighbor’s horses in the past. The dog was acting normal, and no further action was taken. Walbert reported to CSD that Rocco was expected to make a full recovery after a trip to the vet. 

CSD, quoting Walbert, reported that a second dog had been shot in the area with a .22 the day prior, leaving a bullet lodged in its skin. No sheriff’s report was available on that alleged incident. Walbert suspected someone had driven by and shot at the dogs.

“These acts are not only cruel, they are deeply disturbing and dangerous to the entire community,” Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, said in a press release. “Shooting dogs from a moving vehicle reflects a reckless disregard for life and public safety. It’s the kind of behavior that demands urgent investigation and accountability.”

Any information on the incidents can be reported to Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office at 307-568-2324 or to Animal Wellness Action at tips@animalwellnessaction.org.