Who shot and killed a family's German shepherd in Methuen?

Methuen police announced on Monday, April 8, that Moose was not shot as previously thought. Police now say he "was killed in a mauling attack by one or more other dogs." You can read the full update

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Original story:

Police are investigating after a dog was shot and killed in Methuen, according to Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon.

Police said the dog, a German shepherd, was shot on Lowell Boulevard Thursday afternoon.

A police captain told Boston 25 News the homeowner went home and saw two of the family's four dogs outside, with one laying on the other.

One of those dogs, a 3-year-old German shepherd named Moose, had been shot and killed.

"When she went to check on her two German shepherds, she discovered they were behind the shed area of the property," Methuen Police Captain Kristopher McCarthy said. "It's sickening to think that someone could go into a fenced-in property in the middle of the day and kill your dog."

Police were on scene to investigate the shooting, and said they were waiting on the MSPCA and Massachusetts State Police crime scene services.

David Lemieux, who lives across from the home where the dog was fatally shot, had nothing but praise for the pets.

"Good, great dogs," Lemieux said. "Nothing wrong with those dogs, not mean or anything."

State police tweeted Thursday evening about the incident, saying the shooting is "a tragic crime and is treated as seriously as any other violent crime."

"Law enforcement must have no tolerance for animal cruelty," they added.

There was no word on any suspect or motive in the shooting, and police said nothing was taken and there was no sign of forced entry.

"Hopefully they find whoever hopped the fence, if that's what happened," Lemieux said. "Who really knows?"

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