Methuen Police Investigating Shooting Death Of German Shepherd

METHUEN (CBS) - Methuen Police are investigating after a woman came home and found her 3-year-old dog had been shot in the yard Thursday afternoon.

The incident happened on Lowell Boulevard, and the German shepherd, named Moose, died. The owner made the discovery when she saw one of her other dogs lying on top of Moose.

"Their other dog, Creek, was laying on top of the deceased dog when (the owner) returned home, so she was just checking on the situation, and she discovered the deceased dog, Moose, had been shot," Methuen Police Captain Kristopher McCarthy said.

Police do not know if the dog was shot on the property. Investigators said the shooting seems intentional, but they have not found a motive. Police confirmed the home was not broken into, and neighbors said no one in the neighborhood had an issue with the dogs.

The yard has a fenced-in dog access area for the home's four German shepherds.

Massachusetts State Police are providing ballistics and crime scene assistance. State Police acknowledged in a tweet, "This is a tragic crime and is treated as seriously as any other violent crime."