A somber event marked the typically peaceful Knights Pond Preserve in North Yarmouth, Maine, as authorities are now seeking information on a suspect who reportedly shot a domestic dog. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has teamed up with the Maine Warden Service, offering a $2,000 reward for details that could lead to the apprehension of this individual. According to Bangor Daily News, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday as three people were out walking their dogs on the trail.

The warden service described the shooter as a man in his 30s with dark hair and "scruffy" facial hair. He was wearing a blaze orange vest, a blaze orange hat, and camouflage pants. Following the shooting, the suspect had a brief interaction with the dog owners before he decided to quickly leave the scene. The suspect was last seen driving away in a dark-colored, full-size pickup truck. To gather more evidence, local authorities are asking residents in the vicinity of Henry Road and Edna Lane to check possible footage from their security cameras around the time of the incident.

In a statement obtained by Boston 25 News, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso strongly condemned the actions of the shooter, stating, "This atrocious, negligent shooting is both heinous and inexcusable, and is aggravated by the cowardly act of the shooter fleeing the scene." Camuso further noted that the crime not only deeply affects the dog owners but unjustly reflects poorly upon Maine's large hunting community.

The Maine Warden Service has not only promised a monetary reward but is also openly urging the gunman to voluntarily decide to turn himself in by calling 207-624-7076 or for anyone with information to report anonymously to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US.