This petition is being created on behalf of Max, a gentle Rottweiler who was shot by a neighbor and left for dead for allegedly “barking at his tires”. We are seeking justice and financial compensation for the pain and expenses that this one person has cursed this family with. About a year ago, a neighbor, a self-proclaimed "godly man", pulled in my families driveway, opened his door, pulled out a 40 caliber, and fired three times at my 10 moth old nonaggressive dog. One shot went right in the face, one through the arm, the third missing, thankfully. The man then got back in his truck and drove home. But, Max lived. I was on my way home from work, and I noticed I had a voicemail from my land lord. I listened to it, horrified, hearing ,”Lauren, Russell Miller just shot your dog. Hurry, call me back.” I got home, saw blood on the porch, and cried with my boyfriend as we called the police. The police arrived and after searching for hours with both them and our landlords, hoping just to at least find a body, Max was finally found. He was still alive, hiding, bloody and very sluggish, underneath our house. He was dug out with a shovel, and immediately rushed to the animal hospital. Not once did he growl or bite, even though he was in pain. The day after Max was shot, I called Russell Miller and told him, as humbly and kindly as I could, that I was the girl who's dog he shot, and that Max survived. I told him from what I'd heard about him, he was a good Christian man, and that I wanted to give him the opportunity to prove that. I then asked him to please pay for Maxes medical expense. I had to put my car title down for collateral and still pay. He told me that he did shoot him, and that that was my opinion of his reputation, and he wouldn't pay a dime. He said that he wasn’t going to have to deal with it at all. He continued to say things that brought me into crying hysterics, I do not recall what he said after that because I was so upset. We have been to court twice. It is to my knowledge that Mississippi law states that anyone cruelly hurting a dog is subject to jail time and a fine, as well as paying the medical expenses. As far as I know, Russell Miller, the man who shot Max, was served a warrant but was never arrested. Our court date was July 14th, and Russell was on vacation in Italy and had his lawyer request a continuance. The court date has now been rescheduled again, for October 6th, and I am worried that Max may not receive the justice that he deserves, and that the law states that he should get. I am asking you to help bring Max justice, we need all the support we can get. Max is still dealing with the permanent effects resulting from his injuries. He has lost weight because it's hard for him to eat- a lot of his teeth are missing. His scar from the bullet entrance wound bothers him and sometimes he limps from the shot through his arm. I have the bullet they removed from his neck, I have the bills and pictures. I have a lot of evidence as well as a statement from my landlord who saw and heard Russell Miller drive up the driveway, open his door, and fire three shots. We need help. The more people know about what happened, the better of a chance we have to bring justice for Max and get us the financial help we need to take care of his medical bills and give him the care and treatment he so very much deserves. Please sign and share this petition, not just for Max, but for all animals who are senselessly harmed and never received the justice that they so very much deserve. Let the people who commit these crimes learn that they are not above the law, and that there are consequences to their wrongdoings. Thank you for your support