Dog found shot to death in Gallatin

GALLATIN — A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for fatally shooting a dog in Gallatin and then disposing of the remains.

The New York State Humane Association, headquartered in Kingston, is offering the reward.

The body of a German shepherd was found by a local resident on Silvernails Road on Feb. 2, according to state police. The approximately 2-year-old male dog was found near the shoulder of the road.

The resident contacted Gallatin dog control officer Jim Riley, who called state police after noticing the animal had a bullet wound.

Police were able to track down the canine’s address, but the dog’s owners have not been at that residence since Thanksgiving.

Police do not know if the dog was given away before the owners left the residence, according to state police investigator C.J. Melilli.

The dog was known to run away from the residence occasionally, police said. The home is located about six miles south of where the dog was found in Gallatin.

Police do not know how long the dog had been on Silvernails Road before it was found.

Ron Perez, president of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, said his organization is not involved in the case.

Police are asking for the public’s help with any information that can shed light on the case. Please contact state police Investigator C.J. Melilli at 845-677-7379 if you have information.