A missing dog that turned up dead near Oyster River was shot, and police are asking the public for help with the investigation, according to Campbell River Crime Stoppers.
A local resident was mountain biking on Nov. 25 at Smugglers Ridge, a bike trail that runs north of Oyster River, when their dog strayed from the path.
The pet “was off leash and uncharacteristically failed to return,” according to Crime Stoppers.
Friends, family and local residents carried out an exhaustive search, but the dog remained missing until Nov. 27.
That’s when its body was found near the mouth of the river, a location “far from where it had last been seen,” Crime Stoppers said.
“On examination from a local veterinarian it was determined that the dog had been killed by a gun shot,” according to the notice.
Campbell River RCMP are urging anyone with information to come forward to police or Crime Stoppers.
Members of the public can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or send tips through the group’s online portal.
