May 18, 2013
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Director of the Sevier County Humane Society said an arrest has been made for shooting a Golden Retriever, named Allie, with a bow and arrow.
On September 28th, Max Harrell and his family found the dog under a car near their business and rushed it to the vet. "I came outside to go to lunch and my dad was laying on the ground trying to get the dog from under the car," said Harrell. "It was bleeding and had an arrow going all the way through it."
The veterinarians said by the time Allie arrived, her injuries were so severe he had to put her down. The owner had been searching for Allie and called the Seymour Clinic to discover what had happened to the dog.
The Humane Society started the "Justice For Allie Reward Fund" and offered a $450 reward.
Director Jayne Vaughn said an individual came forward with information that led to the arrest of the person responsible.
According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, a 14-year-old from Seymour has been charged in connection with the shooting of the dog. An Animal Control officer investigated the incident and the juvenile admitted Wednesday to shooting the dog with the arrow.
The juvenile was charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty in Sevier County Juvenile Court and was turned over to juvenile authorities. A hearing is scheduled at a later date for the juvenile.
Vaughn said they're very grateful for the concern and support from the community in supporting the reward fund.
In a release, Vaughn said, "It was a great relief to discover that an arrest had been made and that we can put this horrible tragedy to rest; for Allie (the victim) and her family. It is extremely disturbing that the perpetrator was a juvenile, however there are consequences for actions. The lesson to be learned from this tragic event is that bows and arrows are weapons. In this case, a deadly weapon. The same applies to pellet guns, and BB guns. They are not toys and should not be in the hands of children, period, - and certainly not without adult supervision."
