Provide justice for Tank, a family dog who did not deserve to be murdered.
The Issue
On Sunday February 8, 2015...my family's lives were forever changed. Our beloved dog 'Tank' was shot and killed by a neighbor while getting a drink out of a creek that ran thru our properties.
This is our story.......
The weather was so nice Sunday....so my niece Lexy, my 3 yr old daughter Reese and my 10 yr old son Parker were out in our backyard playing and jumping on the trampoline. Lexy was babysitting for the weekend while my husband and I were on a weekend getaway.
Tank went down to the creek and was getting a drink of water, and that's when one of our neighbors, Darrell Sutherland, shot him for absolutely no reason. The man that lives beside us, Terry Kinser, happened to be out on his deck and witnessed everything.
Terry informed us that he noticed Mr. Sutherland go on his house and come back out with a big gun, literally snuck down the hill and shot tank while he was drinking. Tank never saw him coming. And Tank was literally on Terry's property. Mr. Sutherland then went back to his residence and came back out without his gun, went to his building and took something out, got in his truck and drove down to the creek where Tank was laying. He got out and was there only a few minutes and went back home.
My husband Alan got the call from Lexy, and we immediately headed for home. On our way home I called the State police......and we also got a call from Mr. Sutherland.....telling us we should be happy it wasn't of the kids!! Alan told him we would see him in court and hung the phone up. Apparently when the police arrived at Mr Sutherland's residence he told them he did not shoot our dog. Said he never fired a shot! The officer told me that he informed him that if he pulled the bullet out and it matched his gun, he was going to jail. That is when Mr. Sutherland stated that yes, he did shoot Tank, but only because he was eating his chickens. He also stated that Tank was two feet on HIS property and to go down and look for the blood. The officer said there was something there that looked like blood, and told us that there was nothing they could do at this point.
Mr. Sutherland's house is 75-100 yards from the creek....THIS MAN WAS HUNTING TANK!!!
Our dog would have gotten a drink and headed back up to the yard....Reese will not do anything without Tank. He is her best friend. When she calls, he comes running...even if he's in the middle of using the bathroom, he will come running! Tank came to live with us 3 years ago when my son Parker's grandparents passed away. Tank is the only thing he has left of his Pops. Tank is not just a dog, he is a member of our family. We don't even refer to him as a dog, he's our boy!! He was our protector and made me feel so safe! Everyone that came into contact with him loved him!! No one would ever say he was mean or aggressive in any way! He's been around hundreds of children....my daughter was raised at his side!
Our world has been turned upside down. Reese spends the day running around looking and hollering for him like it's a hide and seek game. She's gone to the door and hollered for him to come inside because it's cold out......then cries because he didn't come home. Last night she was up 9 times crying and calling for him. She didn't go anywhere or do anything without Tank! Parker has just completely shut us out. He's already been through so much lately, I just don't know how much more he can take. My husband and I have cried ourselves to sleep. We know we have to be strong for our kids....but Tank WAS one of our kids!!
Now i want something done!! I will be Tanks voice! And I'm not going to stop until something is done!!
News channels have been called, paperwork has been turned into the County Attorneys office and Animal Control says they are doing an investigation. This petition is underway for everyone to sign to demand that something be done to this horrible man for unjustly and unnecessarily murdering our family member! Please sign it and share it with your family and friends. We have also started a Gofundme account to help pay for legal fees and Tank's head stone. It will be posted soon well as. If you can spare just a dollar it will greatly be appreciated!!!
Thank you all so much for joining us in our quest for the truth, justice and accountability.
The Issue
On Sunday February 8, 2015...my family's lives were forever changed. Our beloved dog 'Tank' was shot and killed by a neighbor while getting a drink out of a creek that ran thru our properties.
This is our story.......
The weather was so nice Sunday....so my niece Lexy, my 3 yr old daughter Reese and my 10 yr old son Parker were out in our backyard playing and jumping on the trampoline. Lexy was babysitting for the weekend while my husband and I were on a weekend getaway.
Tank went down to the creek and was getting a drink of water, and that's when one of our neighbors, Darrell Sutherland, shot him for absolutely no reason. The man that lives beside us, Terry Kinser, happened to be out on his deck and witnessed everything.
Terry informed us that he noticed Mr. Sutherland go on his house and come back out with a big gun, literally snuck down the hill and shot tank while he was drinking. Tank never saw him coming. And Tank was literally on Terry's property. Mr. Sutherland then went back to his residence and came back out without his gun, went to his building and took something out, got in his truck and drove down to the creek where Tank was laying. He got out and was there only a few minutes and went back home.
My husband Alan got the call from Lexy, and we immediately headed for home. On our way home I called the State police......and we also got a call from Mr. Sutherland.....telling us we should be happy it wasn't of the kids!! Alan told him we would see him in court and hung the phone up. Apparently when the police arrived at Mr Sutherland's residence he told them he did not shoot our dog. Said he never fired a shot! The officer told me that he informed him that if he pulled the bullet out and it matched his gun, he was going to jail. That is when Mr. Sutherland stated that yes, he did shoot Tank, but only because he was eating his chickens. He also stated that Tank was two feet on HIS property and to go down and look for the blood. The officer said there was something there that looked like blood, and told us that there was nothing they could do at this point.
Mr. Sutherland's house is 75-100 yards from the creek....THIS MAN WAS HUNTING TANK!!!
Our dog would have gotten a drink and headed back up to the yard....Reese will not do anything without Tank. He is her best friend. When she calls, he comes running...even if he's in the middle of using the bathroom, he will come running! Tank came to live with us 3 years ago when my son Parker's grandparents passed away. Tank is the only thing he has left of his Pops. Tank is not just a dog, he is a member of our family. We don't even refer to him as a dog, he's our boy!! He was our protector and made me feel so safe! Everyone that came into contact with him loved him!! No one would ever say he was mean or aggressive in any way! He's been around hundreds of children....my daughter was raised at his side!
Our world has been turned upside down. Reese spends the day running around looking and hollering for him like it's a hide and seek game. She's gone to the door and hollered for him to come inside because it's cold out......then cries because he didn't come home. Last night she was up 9 times crying and calling for him. She didn't go anywhere or do anything without Tank! Parker has just completely shut us out. He's already been through so much lately, I just don't know how much more he can take. My husband and I have cried ourselves to sleep. We know we have to be strong for our kids....but Tank WAS one of our kids!!
Now i want something done!! I will be Tanks voice! And I'm not going to stop until something is done!!
News channels have been called, paperwork has been turned into the County Attorneys office and Animal Control says they are doing an investigation. This petition is underway for everyone to sign to demand that something be done to this horrible man for unjustly and unnecessarily murdering our family member! Please sign it and share it with your family and friends. We have also started a Gofundme account to help pay for legal fees and Tank's head stone. It will be posted soon well as. If you can spare just a dollar it will greatly be appreciated!!!
Thank you all so much for joining us in our quest for the truth, justice and accountability.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on February 13, 2015