Dog shot, left to die with 3 bullets inside in Suncoast Estates; suspect wanted

A dog was shot and injured after getting away from its owners and going missing overnight in Suncoast Estates on Wednesday.

A 12-year-old dog named Kilo was found in the woods near the 8000 block of McDaniel Drive around 8 a.m., with injuries that turned out to be gunshot wounds.

Now, he’s fighting for his life and Kilo’s owners are upset. Travis Taylor said his dog is old. deaf and sweet as can be. He said doesn’t understand why anyone would shoot him and leave him to die in the woods.

His owners say they noticed he was missing around 9 p.m. Wednesday night and that they were unable to find him.

A person who is homeless found the dog and called for help.

Domestic Animal Services was able to contact Kilo’s owners due to the dog’s microchip; they say he was half a mile away from home.

Witness told deputies they heard gunshots around 2 a.m. the morning after Kilo disappeared. He was found with three bullets in him.

Filled with emotion, Taylor said, “It was a lot, oh God here we go.. It was a lot … My dog ran away the night before and I went searching for him for a little bit. I couldn’t find him so I left my gate open hoping he would come back home.

But he had this to say to the suspect, “However it happened, whoever shot him; you’re not right.”

Kilo is currently being treated by Domestic Animal Services and his condition was improving.

Trish Routte with Southwest FLorida Crime Stoppers said, “We do not take animal abuse lightly. If somebody has the capacity to put three bullets in a 12-year-old dog, that’s a sick person, and if they could do that to a dog what are they going to do to a person?”

If you have any information on Kilo’s shooting, call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477 or submit a tip online. Remember, your tip will remain anonymous and will get you a cash reward if it leads to an arrest.