Who Injured, Shot Chulo The Dog? Authorities Need Public's Help To Find Perpetrator

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade Animal Services investigators need the public's help to find out who may have injured and shot a 3-year-old dog named Chulo.

Miami-Dade County Animal Services said they responded to a report of an injured dog at NW 15 Ave and 38 Street, where they found the dog unable to stand and with bite wounds in various stages of healing all over his body.

The man who found the dog told CBS Miami's Peter D'Oench that it was a pathetic site and he just wanted to help Chulo, who neighbors said was known as a stray dog.

"The public has the responsibility to report animal abuse, animal cruelty. The dog is suffering extensively right now," said Kathleen Labrada, the Assistant Director of Miami-Dade Animal Services.

The white and tan large American bulldog was found lying in the street.

He had been bitten, shot and hit by a car in Northwest Miami-Dade.

Labrada said, "Our officers found the dog covered in bite wounds in various stages of healing and with injuries very consistent with dogfighting. We know that he had been intentionally shot and we are very concerned about the link between animal cruelty and violence."

"We just want answers. We want to know why this happened and how this happened. We need the community's help to get there," added Labrada.

"Our veterinarians also found he had been shot with pellets in his chest from a BB gun or a pellet gun."

"So, what we're asking for is information on how this dog came to sustain injuries," said Labrada.

Chulo is currently under veterinary care due to the severity of his injuries.

Animal Services is working with Crimestoppers and asking for the community's help to find out what happened to Chulo so that the perpetrator can be held accountable.

Suzette Rice, executive director of Crime Stoppers in Miami-Dade released the following statement:

"Anytime an animal is treated in a brutal way, it reflects poorly on our community.  In the case of Chulo, I would guess he was used as a bait dog for illegal activity. Crime Stoppers wants to support Animal Services and work together to put an end to such horrible abuse. "

The community can share not just the aftermath of abuse, but also report instances of illegal games such as cock fighting or report locations that are serving horse meat off menu. By reporting such activities, perhaps the crime of abuse can be stopped before we see more animals left to suffer, just like Chulo."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477 or (305) 471-TIPS.