A Midlothian family is reeling after their 4-year-old basset hound, Sheriff, was found shot to death inside a fenced backyard in Alvarado's Stonegate Manor neighborhood. The dog was discovered on Feb. 25 while staying with relatives, and family members and neighbors say the killing has shaken the entire household. Alvarado police have opened an investigation and are asking anyone with footage or tips to come forward.
Dalton and Katherine Samek told NBC 5 that Sheriff had multiple pellet wounds they believe came from a pellet gun, with injuries severe enough to damage internal organs. “I think I was mainly in shock,” Katherine said in her interview with NBC 5. The family says another dog in the yard was not physically hurt but has been visibly traumatized since the shooting.
Investigation underway
Alvarado police have launched a probe and are urging anyone with information or video from the afternoon of Feb. 25 to contact investigators, according to the City of Alvarado. City guidance directs residents with nonemergency tips to Johnson County dispatch at 817-556-6045 and to the department administration line at 817-790-0910. Detectives say they are continuing to review leads and evidence, but have not released any suspect information while the inquiry remains active.
Reward, footage and neighborhood reaction
The Sameks have put up a cash reward for information. Local reports list different figures: FOX 4 reports $1,500, while other coverage has cited $2,500. FOX 4 also reports that neighbors have shared video clips and messages of support as the family pleads for leads.
According to coverage of the shooting, the incident has left nearby residents unnerved and on edge in what is typically a quiet part of Alvarado.
Legal context
Texas law allows prosecutors to pursue charges when someone “kills, seriously injures, or poisons” a companion animal, with such conduct addressed in Penal Code sections that cover cruelty to livestock and non-livestock animals. The Texas Penal Code and resources from the SPCA of Texas explain that penalties can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the act and any prior convictions.
Legal guides and medical literature note that pellet and air rifles can cause penetrating, sometimes fatal injuries, a reality local investigators say they are taking seriously as they determine whether criminal charges are warranted in Sheriff’s death (FindLaw).
How to help
Anyone with video or information related to the shooting is asked to contact Alvarado police dispatch at 817-556-6045 or the department at 817-790-0910, per the city’s guidance. Local outlets also list a family contact number for tips, and reporters note the Sameks can be reached through the contact information included in that coverage as investigators continue to follow leads.
