DERBY – “Thunda,” the name of the German Shepherd who was allegedly shot by his owners on Friday (April 1), is recovering after having a leg and shoulder blade amputated.
The dog underwent surgery Friday.
He is recovering well and under 24-hour care with the staff at VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Shelton,” Lt. Justin Stanko said. “He is making improvements everyday, eating on his own, and taking his medicine. He has a long road ahead but, according to their staff, “he is a fighter.”
Police believe Thunda is between one and two years old.
Police said a Fairfield County-based dog adoption/foster care organization, Project Precious Rescue, is seeking applications from people interested in providing foster care for Thunda.
The group referred a reporter to Shelton Animal Control, who referred a reporter to Derby police, as did the Shelton Animal Shelter, the organization that set up a GoFundMe that has raised more than $13,000 for Thunda’s medical care.
Stanko said finding a foster family for the dog is on hold as police continue the investigation, which will include filing arrest documentation with the court.
Riverwalk Social, located at 17 Elizabeth St. in Derby, is also hosting a fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m Thursday (April 7) to help with the dog’s medical bills. The restaurant will donate 20 percent of the day’s sales to the Shelton Animal Shelter.
Police found ten, 9mm shell casings at the scene where the dog was shot and found near Coon Hallow Park, a small picnic grove off Nutmeg Avenue. Police since arrested Stranja Perrin, 28, and Anthony Singletary, 27, the dog’s owners.
Perrin was charged with conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of a firearm, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment in the first degree, and two counts of risk of injury to a child.
Singletary was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of a firearm, conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals, conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment in the first degree, and two counts of risk of injury to a child.
Police said Perrin called police at 2 a.m. Friday to report an injured dog at the park. Police said Perrin, her two young children, and Singletary were recently homeless and living out of Perrin’s car, along with the dog. Police said video surveillance shows Perrin’s vehicle in the area of the park more than an hour before reporting the injured dog.
Perrin was later found to be in possession of two, 9mm handguns, which she legally owned.
Police said Singletary is a convicted felon but that neither he nor Perrin have prior animal cruelty charges.
Police are not sure why either of the pair allegedly shot the dog.
They were arraigned Monday, and Singletary was identified as the shooter in court, according to The Connecticut Post.
