Do not read this if you can't handle sad stories.
It is a sad litany, service dogs killed by neighbors, strangers, groomers. These aren't dogs that were pets or that died of illness or old age, but dogs trained to assist handicapped people and killed by someone just because they could.
These stories are why I never let Itzl out of my sight and don't permit him to toilet himself alone. This is why I have him in a special carrier. The work he does for me is too important to not take care of him and protect him.
My heart breaks for every one of these people who lost their service dogs to murder this past year or so.
A 9 year old girl's service dog was stolen and killed and dumped in their front yard.
Groomers came to a disabled woman's home to clip the nails of her service dogand killed the dog before her eyes as she begged them to stop.
A service dog was killed by a hit and run driver while out walking with her disabled partner.
A child's service dog was shot and killed in the family's driveway right after they returned home from a funeral.
A war hero's service dog was shot and killed at his home by two men - apparently as part of a spree of dog killing.
A service dog was killed while trying to protect his wheelchaired handler from pistol-whipping robbers.