A Pennsylvania family has been left devastated after learning the hunter responsible for killing their beloved family dog, Hunter, will not face punishment.
Chris Heller was walking his two dogs in the woods on January 7 when a deer hunter shot and killed Hunter, an 8-year-old malamute mix, apparently mistaking it for a deer. His wife, Jennifer Heller, said in a Facebook post that while Hunter was rushed to the vet, he succumbed to his injuries and died.
The family mourned the loss of their family pet on social media, writing: “Hunter was an incredibly sweet and intelligent dog — gentle with the Hellers’ young grandchildren, immediate best buddies with the other animals in the home, and a loving companion who would do anything for a good piece of cheese.”
And while the Hellers would love to see the hunter punished for the killing, the Pennsylvania Game Commission says no crime was committed. Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, the governing body has no plans to file charges against the hunter. This is largely because coyotes can be killed “24 hours a day, 7 days a week” and January and February are peak coyote hunting season in the state.
The Hellers, however, believe the hunter’s license should be taken off of him and he should be forced to retake a safety course. They also want the shooter to apologize for killing their pet. Since none of that seems to be on the cards, the family is taking the legal route.
They’ve started a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees to get justice for Hunter. “The Heller family has met with an attorney who believes they have a strong foundation for a civil case and can hold accountable the parties that have tried to sweep this incident under the rug,” the fundraiser states. “However, the retainer is something that the Hellers cannot readily afford. We humbly ask for any amount you can donate that will go directly towards the legal costs they will incur in this process.”
They have already raised more than $15,000 of their $10,000 goal.
