Addison police investigating possible dog shooting

Addison police are investigating the death of a Yorkshire terrier that may have been shot while it walked with its owner near a forest preserve.

The owner, whom police would not identify, was walking her dog about 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Fullerton Avenue, east of Villa Avenue, when she heard a faint “pop,” Deputy Chief Mike Simo said.

The dog fell over bleeding moments later, he said, and the owner rushed the animal to a nearby veterinarian. The dog later was transferred to a specialist, Simo said, where it was euthanized.

Simo said the vet and owner determined the dog was shot. Police are still investigating, however, and Cmdr. Joe Maranowicz said there was no evidence at the scene.

“The dog appears to have sustained some head injury, but we are unsure if it was a gunshot, a firework, or what it was since we don't have any physical evidence left at the scene,” Maranowicz said.

Police are talking to possible witnesses and have interviewed both veterinarians who saw the dog. Chief Timothy Hayden said police also have X-rays that show foreign debris in the dog's cranial area.

Simo said DuPage County Forest Preserve police initially investigated the incident because it was thought to have taken place at Cricket Creek Forest Preserve. Forest preserve police later handed off the case to Addison officers when it was learned the shooting took place outside the preserve, near an area that is under construction.

The dog's owner declined to comment.

“She is very distraught over the loss of her dog,” Maranowicz said.

He said police believe the area is safe and there is no additional threat to humans or animals.