An Ocala woman whose dog was killed by an arrow is asking for the public’s help to find the individual responsible, saying she wants “justice” and asking others to share the graphic image depicting the crime.
Angel Rose Bushong’s dog, Bella, was shot by an arrow on January 26. The Golden Retriever died soon thereafter.
Since Ocala-News.com published the first story about Bella, at least a half dozen residents have shared opinions about the editorial decision to display the graphic photo of the dog. One wrote a letter that drew hundreds of comments and additional letters. (Read some of those opinions at the end of this story)
In a post to social media, Bushong explained her support behind the decision.
“If people are really that upset about the picture of my dog like that, maybe you should take a deeper look into the picture and see why it’s posted,” said Bushong. “For this exact reason: To show exactly how bad it is. Exactly how horrible this person is to do this to her, to show exactly what happened to my dog.”
Bella was shot with an arrow while walking home on January 26. After the dog was shot, she walked back to her owner’s porch.
According to Bushong, her dog’s back was gashed open so wide that her spin and muscles were visible.
Bushong attempted to address the wounds as best she could before driving 40 minutes to a local veterinary hospital, just to have to put Bella down.
“Next time, before anyone wants to say how gross or disturbing those pictures are, imagine how we [expletive] felt having to deal with that in person,” said Bushong in her post. “If it bothers you so much, keep scrolling, don’t look at it, don’t do anything if you can’t stomach the crime that was committed.”
Bushong finished her post with a call to action, asking the community to share the information as much as possible and help find those responsible for Bella’s death.
A witness near the intersection of SE 2nd Place and SE 170th Avenue reported seeing two men leaving the area where Bella was killed on January 26.
The men were allegedly traveling in a brown, 1970s to 1980s Ford F-150, which had wooden boards along the truck bed.
Bushong, who started a GoFundMe to help with associated costs, finished her comments by addressing criticism of news outlets that have shared photos of her dog.
“It’s not on the world to protect you from your triggers and issues, that’s on you to either fix or ignore. Not to put onto other people, especially when it’s about my beloved animal who was shot and killed,” said Bushong. “You want to save ‘have some class,’ last I checked, we’re not royalty, I’m not rich or anything, and this was a classless action that deserves to be shown.”
Anyone with information about this case, or the suspects involved, is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-368-7867.
Here are the letters from residents expressed disappointment in the choice,
“I don’t feel it was horrible to post those pictures of Bella. People need to realize the types of crimes that are done to defenseless animals. Prison time needs to be levied against these types of humans and showing the seriousness of these injuries will help this punishment, in my opinion” – Toni Miller, Ocala
“Another reader posted this morning about her concern that Ocala News displayed a graphic photo of a dog shot and killed by an arrow. The posting of the reader’s letter to the editor included the same photo again! A tactless move by Ocala-News!” – Charles G., Ocala
“I don’t think it was the best move to post a picture of the dog that had been hit by an arrow. I also don’t think you should be condemned for posting it. The fact is people need to see what’s happening in the community. As they say a picture’s worth a thousand words and hopefully that will help bring the people who did this to Justice” – David Kirolos, Ocklawaha
“I’m happy Ocala-News shows real pictures when people do bad things. It should shake you up. Even children do this horrible stuff to animals. See what happens to the animal and people that own them and what happens to you if you’re caught doing this horrid crime. Yes, it’s a crime, but showing it is not a crime. Grow up to the real world” – Bill Tar, Silver Springs
Do you have information about the suspects in this case? Contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-368-7867.
UPDATE: This story was edited to correct the dog owner’s name.