Who Would Shoot A Dog Named Cupcake?

PLANT CITY, FL -- She's been named Cupcake because of her sweet disposition.

So, who would shoot such a gentle, friendly dog and leave her for dead in a roadside ditch?

That's the question Hillsborough County Sheriff's Cpl. Shawn Helmer is asking.

On Sunday, Nov. 25 at about 7:30 p.m., Helmer's neighbor found a frightened, injured dog laying in a ditch in the 700 block of Colson Road in Plant City. At first Helmer thought the dog had been hit by a car. But when he rushed the dog to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, X-rays showed a bullet in the dog's upper back leg.

Helmer said whoever shot the dog he named Cupcake is "a horrible person."

"I don't know the circumstances behind it, but I can't think of any reason why you'd need to shoot this dog," he said. "I'd love nothing more than to figure out who did this and make sure they answer for it."

Cupcake is being treated for the gunshot wound. However, the bullet is still in her leg and will require surgery to remove.

Once the dog has surgery, Helmer is confidant she'll go to a loving home.

That's because Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputies Sam and Cindy Rodriguez have already declared dibs to adopt her. They said they fell in love with the dog the moment they saw her.

"I think that things happen for a reason," said Cindy Rodriguez. "Everything lined up."

In the meantime, Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 leading to the arrest of Cupcake's shooter. Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online or send a mobile tip using the P3 Tips Mobile application. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for a cash reward.

Images via Hillsborough Sheriff

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