On Sunday, March 28th, 2021, Rocky the dog was lounging on the porch of Betsey's Ole Country Store in Collettsville, NC, where he could be found on a daily basis happily greeting customers and passing the time away snoozing. 

On this particular Sunday, Rocky was shot multiple times by a then-unknown person, (later identified as Joshua Wayne Hawley, age 35, of Morganton, NC).   Surveillance images showed a grey van pulled up, a person exited the van, shot Rocky, returned to the van and left.  

Rocky was found dead on the porch area at the store as a result of multiple gunshot wounds from Mr. Hawley.  

Joshua Wayne Hawley, age 35, was identified by one of the occupants of the van who reported that he was the person that shot Rocky.  Hawley admitted to shooting Rocky to investigators.  Hawley claimed the reason that he shot Rocky was that he was attacked by the dog.  Hawley also admitted to leaving the scene after shooting Rocky without speaking to anyone or contacting authorities.

Joshua Wayne Hawley has been Charged with One Count of Felony Cruelty to Animals.  His bond is set a $10,000.00 Secured and his first appearance in District Court is set for 03/31/20.

A Class H felony carries a penalty of up to 30 months in jail and up to 9 months of post-release supervision.

***Please sign this petition to let the District Attorney know that we DEMAND the maximum punishment for this cruel, heartless act and that we WILL NOT ACCEPT LESS***