OK, So I'm new here...

A few days ago was the first anniversary of our family dogs death. Her name was Sophie, A Miniature Pincher X Chihuahua.

She was 14 years old, and I hadn't known a day in my life without her.

On the 1st of March 2009, I left my mums place for a flight to Adelaide, I was meeting a friend. We were living in Port Lincoln, South Australia.

After I left my mum decided to take our dogs for a walk, we had just recently got a new dog - A big, bouncy boxer called Ollie, Or Olivia. Anyone who has a boxer will know, they are VERY energetic, and simply cannot be exercised on a leash (They end up literally dragging you around)

We would regularly go to a big park at the end of our street... It was more like a bit of bush land than a park. It was about the size of a block, and it was all trees scrub. We DO have laws here that state we have to put our dogs on a leash when in public, but most people don't worry about it and no one ever gets in trouble for it. So of course, we let our boxer off the leash for some exercise, she rarely runs away (Unless she see's a cat or another dog) and would never hurt anyone, people just get scared because she's very big and boisterous.

As for our Sophie, we hardly ever put her on a leash as she NEVER ran away, all she did was totter along beside us... So my mum was in the park with the 2 dogs off the leash when she spotted a man and his wife walking their dog along the boundary of the park, Ollie spotted them of course and went over to say hello. The man then started yelling abuse at my mum, telling her to put her dog back on the leash. He also threw rocks, while his wife egged him on.

We had NEVER met this man in our life, we had only just moved to the town a month ago.

He kept on saying how his dog would chew ours to bits, and stuff like that... But by the looks of it the dog was pretty docile.

My mum was pretty shocked by what had just happened so she decided to go to a friends house just up the road a bit further... Unfortunately the man and his wife were heading in the same direction - presumably back to their house. Mum put Ollie back on the leash and made her way to her friends house, following the couple but keeping her distance.

They then saw that she was "following" them and started yelling abuse once again... Accusing her of following them and such... My mum ignored them and continued on her way, then at one stage she ended up on the opposite side of the road to them... This was when our little Sophie (not on a leash) decided to go and say hello to this man, his wife and there dog.

The man, being in a fit of rage, kicked our dog. Like a football, she flew through the air. She hit the ground and did not get up. My mum picked Sophie up, telling the couple that they were bad people and to look at what they'd done. She then took Sophie and hurried to her friends house, by this stage being very close by. Her friend rang the vet straight away and they drove down there ASAP. But it was too late. Sophie died in my mums arms at the vet.

It makes me very emotional just writing this... It has traumatized me beyond belief to hear about these details. To imagine my poor Sophie's helpless body on the ground. It's just horrible.

The vet took Sophie and did an autopsy. My mum was so upset, she didn't even call me... I got a call from my sister a few days later, I couldn't believe it. I came back home straight away.

We all felt distraught, my mum took days off work...

We contacted the RSPCA and made a complaint... We had a woman come around and talk to us, she was very good. We gave her the full details of what happened and a disk of photos.

Looking back in old photos now, there is not one that doesn't include Sophie. She was always there.

A few weeks later we got the autopsy report: She was in excellent health, her injuries included broken ribs on the side which she was kicked, puncturing several organs. Consistent with what my mum had told the vet. The police had been to see the man to notify him that legal action was being taken.

I struggled to come to terms with everything that had happened, i couldn't understand the motive, or how anyone could do such a thing. Not a day went by that I didn't think about spray painting his precious Jeep car or maybe even confronting him. I wanted him to hurt like I did.

To cut a long story short... He was only fined $3000 and vet fees. He maintained his innocence, saying he only "nudged" the dog. We later learned that his name was Joseph Perry, and his wife was a school counselor at the local public school! They had one child and a dog. They didn't get their dog confiscated.

We moved house again after all this, we couldn't live there with the memories.

I had nightmares about Sophie...

I want to keep this short as it's still hard to talk about and I don't know every little detail....

Our story was published in several papers.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-a...3-1225782523371

Sophie was cremated and her ashes spread at our old farm - She loved it there.

Thankyou for listening to my story.

What a pathetic excuse for a man, I live near Adelaide and I hope I run into Joseph Perry one day. He should have gone to jail and never ever be able to own a pet. People like him have not business around animals. Poor little Sophie, you have my deepest sympathy, I am so angry and his wife a counsellor? wouldn't want her near my child. Hugs to you xx

madi xx

Thankyou... He lives in Adelaide now, Semaphore.

I'm sorry for your loss. I honestly don't what I would have done if someone tried to do that to any of my pets. I'm truly sorry, I wish there was more for the law to do when it comes to pet abuse. I would have taken him to court outside of the SPCA if it was an option. I would never want to understand people like that.

Lots of hugs for you and your family.

I am so sorry for your lost. I wish I was there with you. I would have made sure that man new how it was like to get kicked like a football.

Again, I'm very sorry.

How terribly awful. I'm so sorry for your losses.

I know how it feels to have a pet die right in front of you. It's an image you never forget. I truly believe that people should have to earn a license to own a pet - or a child. Some people are so unbelievable cruel.

I read your other post also. That is just so devastating. I would rather have my pets than people as friends. A friend of mine lost four dogs to poisoning last year. It was really hard for her.

I certainly hope they find who ever it is that is killing these poor defenseless dogs.

I don't come here too often these days. I've been trying to heal from my losses. This is a great site though, the people were certainly here for me when I needed them, but one down side to helping others is that you are constantly dragging up your own painful memories. I lost Lily, June 24, 2008 - suddenly and unexpectedly. She died right in front of our eyes. I watched the life leave her beautiful eyes. (This makes me cry still). She was only eight. Then just a few days later, we found out Hunny had cancer. She lost that battle April 4 last year, also eight. I know how hard it is to lose these precious babies. I feel your pain. And your anger. You have every right to be as angry as you are. I wish there were greater punishments for such people.

Once again, I am so very sorry for your losses. I hope time heals your broken heart.

Take care.

Lynette.

Ok, i get it... So no one wants to talk about it... It's just TOO DAMN ###ING HARD to talk about...

No one has the guts to stand up and fight for the rights of anything, they just hide away in their little hole and pretend it isn't there. It's ###ing bull~~.

Lets all give up shall we!

I am sorry for you loss - he should have had to pay more than a $3000 fine --this is outrageous.

Cold and Lonely--

Please remember that we are all grieving ourselves. A lot of us aren't in a position to fight for ANYTHING right now except our own sanity.

You have a right--no, an ENTITLEMENT--to your anger. But please don't dump it on us, who are trying to help.

Thanks.

Margi and the Wolf