About mean people
I've been away from home for some medical tests. My husband has been busy working, checking on me, and taking care of our dogs. I'm home now. I'm OK. That isn't what this is about.
My husband let the dogs out in the yard the other day and then he ran back inside to get some things done while the dogs played outside.
My screen door has an opening that allows the dogs to come and go as they please as long as the main door is open.
My dogs came running inside and both were bleeding. Some asshole shot both my dogs with a BB gun.
The little dog suffered a graze but a pellet penetrated my larger dog. Right on his bottom. He was bleeding a lot.
The pellet was removed and the wounds treated on both animals. The dogs are both healing.
The asshole also killed a Cardinal that was feeding in my yard.
My husband didn't see who did the shooting. He was more concerned about the animals than looking for the asshole.
A report was filed and turns out some mean (sick) people are going around shooting into yards with airsoft guns and bb guns. These assholes have broken house windows and hit other animals.
I felt so helpless. I couldn't prevent my animals from being harmed. My children - and they are my children - just wanted to play in the sun. It breaks my heart all over again just telling about it.
I hate mean people.
= new reply since forum marked as read
And hopefully someone catches those bastards and...
I'm glad your furkids are going to be ok. It is so horrifying to see them hurt though.
Very horrifying. They can't fight back against an attack like that.
Thanks, bluedigger.
So sorry to hear that. I don't like mean people either 
The police think it is a group doing it.
Thanks, Matariki.
meant to reply to you, not myself 
My beautiful kitty doesn't tell me I'm going to hell, unlike the neighbors.
And this was when I lived in a "good" neighborhood. Some of my new neighbors are racists and RWers. But so far, no bullets.
I hope they find the criminal in your neighborhood.
They seem to be OK. Both healing. Neither afraid of the yard. That's a good thing. I think it has bothered me more. They expect their mommy to protect them and I couldn't.
Mean people who hurt animals are the lowest of the low and the meanest of the mean.
My cats are my family and I love them like most people love children. I understand completely.
They are my babies and my family.
Yeah people suck. What's worse is I know exactly who did it and I ever catch the assholes in the act again the next time they see me will me pressing criminal charges against them and suing the crap out of them for it. 
They WILL be caught, Solly. This would be enough to keep me up at night - so many emotions to process. Anger, fear, worry, guilt. I believe, though, that my main goal would be that these "people" are caught, and the more who know about it, the more likely that is to happen. Glinda's suggestion about contacting a TV station is an excellent one - this story will resonate with someone somewhere. You guys are great pet owners, and I'm glad the dogs are OK.
I just don't understand people who take such obvious pleasure in hurting and killing defenseless creatures. Nor do I want to.
Glad your puppies are on the mend. Makes you not want to let them out of your sight, doesn't it?
I'm sitting with them while they are out and that cramps their style. They both like to dig in my flower bed and can't while I'm out there with them. lol
Thanks, AngryOldDem.
they're not just mean, they are cruel and heartless. glad your babies are healing 
Rather than risk getting this post hidden for advocating violence, let's just say that there will be hell to pay. How the hell can someone shoot a helpless animal that's just playing in the back yard? That's like beating a child...completely at your mercy and you choose to hurt instead of love.
I'm glad your dogs are healing and hope they don't end up with too much PTSD about the back yard.
My husband said you could tell the Cardinal was shot while feeding on the ground. Looked like it just sort of fell forward. Its little tail was sticking up.
Hopefully they will be.
I feel so guilty. I let my babies down.
Are they doing ok? I also have worried about this happening to my baby Shih Tzu...luckily nothing has happened.
Are these people wandering the neighborhood? Probably some really screwed up teens. Jerks!
Hope your dogs are ok.
I hope the little jerks are caught soon!
Stay Safe! 
What a sick thing to do. I hope they are caught and punished as harshly as possible. Please keep us posted.
I am just glad that your doggies are going to be ok. I can't believe how awful some people can be. 
Thank you, RiffRandell.
... Glad they didn't kill your babies. Mean people will keep on being mean unless nice people catch them and hold them accountable for their actions. Hope this happens, putting property and pet owners at ease again. If it continues, and the police don't seem to be solving the problem, then I say it's time for a serious anti-violent neighborhood association to put their heads together and catch the SOBs.
Hope your tests all come out negative and your babies get well soon. 
in his backyard shooting squirrels.
I am constantly shouting over the fence that my dogs are outside doing their business! It's awful!
I posted about this once on DU and was flamed.....seriously FLAMED for being concerned or worried about this. 
I am so sorry, I hope your doggies are okay. Target practice should be for the range, not a backyard regardless of the weapon!
I'm so sorry about your doggies, Solly.
I am so sorry your dogs were hurt, thankfully your husband was there. I hope you are OK.
What this asshole did wasn't mean, it was malicious and bereft of human decency! I hope you catch the POS. You are a wonderful photographer, why not photograph their injuries, pain, and write a short op-ed piece to the local paper about cruelty to animals and the hate one must have in their hearts to do such a thing? If you need additional "sardonic sarcasm", let me know! I may be cute and sweet, but I have my moments!
I hope you are well, and the doggies get better soon.
BtA
I considered taking photos of their wounds but the larger dog really wanted me away from his bottom as quick as possible. I've been keeping the area clean with a special cleansing solution and he is none too thrilled about that. The area is still tender. The little dog just wants to be carried everywhere. He's playing on his Mommy's guilt.
My first dog, Corkey, was shot & killed when I was 12. I know how you're feeling.
Lots of hugs!
I ask myself that a lot.
I would be outraged, too. Someone wants to be mean to me, fine, but don't be mean to my dog!
Scratches & pets for your furry ones & a big hug for you.
Sick little cowards.
Thank you, CrispyQ! I'll pass those scratches and pets along.
My babies
Here's a virtual biscuit.
Our kids all have 4 legs, so I have a lot of empathy for this. You, nor hubby, didn't fail them. The bad guys are the cause.
Sounds like you are already hyper-vigilant about retaliation whether it's another shooting or poison. I have seen these incidents happen in other communities over the years, so our dogs are hardly ever outside of the house without us. It's inconvenient sometimes, but never as bad as having something like that happen to them. Even so, they still wind up alone outside when I have to take firewood in or grab something, but I sure try to minimize it.
I make contact with new renters nearby, take them cookies or something, wave at their kids, nod at or acknowledge people who walk by. Once they see you face-to-face it makes it a bit harder for them to see you as a target. (There is some research out there about serial killers, many of them started on animals, so this can be serious, and worth some effort). I also walk the areas outside, more as just keeping a presence. It helps cut down on such threats. Your presence does more to deter such things than almost anything else you can do.
I can't remember how many news stories I have seen over the years about the discovery of a rise in animal abuse. Then it wanes, then it comes back. We fostered a dog, been about 4 years ago now. She was found as a stray with a two-month old bullet wound in her shoulder. The leg was amputated and a friend at the shelter didn't want her to have to recover in that dirty environment, so we took her in to let her heal, helped her outside while she learned to balance. She was adopted by a school janitor that took her to work with him. I am still amazed that dogs can still be so trusting, and nice, after how they are treated.
Give 'em some bacon for me