One dog has died and another is fighting for its life after a shooting in Sooke, British Columbia, on Sunday morning. The Sooke RCMP received a report just before noon on October 19 regarding two dogs shot on the 2500 block of Farmer Drive.
CCTV footage captured the sound of gunfire at 11:46 a.m., showing one of the dogs collapsing on a neighbour’s driveway. Police later confirmed that one dog had died, while the other, named Rip, was rushed to a local veterinarian in critical condition.
A GoFundMe page, started by the sister of the dogs’ owners, described the pets as “harmless, loving dogs” and said the family is heartbroken. “We don’t have many answers right now. We don’t know who did this or why,” the page read.
Staff Sgt. Greg Willcocks called the incident “very concerning” and said police are investigating whether the shooting was criminal. A necropsy has been ordered for the deceased dog as part of the ongoing investigation.
“At the outset, these circumstances seem very concerning. We will continue to seek clarity on why this happened and whether it was criminal in nature,” Willcocks said.
The investigation is in its early stages. Sooke RCMP are working to identify any suspects and are asking the public for assistance. Anyone with information, CCTV, or dash cam footage from the area is urged to contact the Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241.
The community has expressed shock and sadness over the shooting, highlighting concerns about animal safety in the neighbourhood. Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed unusual activity in the area to come forward to aid the investigation.
The surviving dog, Rip, remains under critical care. Authorities have not released further details about possible motives or suspects, but they emphasized the importance of public cooperation in solving the case.
This shooting underscores ongoing concerns about animal attacks and violence, and police continue to investigate all leads thoroughly. Residents are reminded to keep pets safe and report suspicious activity immediately.