According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on Saturday, February 24th, 2018 around 8:20pm, police were dispatched to 207 W Market Street to investigate an incident of a dog being injured.
At the scene, a Pottsville man, who was not identified, told police that his 10 year old German-Shepard named Diddy had been shot by a man who had been inside the apartment with the dog owner and two other adults.
The suspect had fled immediately after the incident and the dog had run out of the house as well.
Police Officers were able to locate the dog and observed a serious wound in the area of his right eye. A representative of the Hillside SPCA responded and assisted police in obtaining emergency medical care for the dog.
An investigation led to police identifying the suspect as Anthony Holmes, 30, of Pottsville, as the person who had shot the dog.
An investigation led to police identifying the suspect as Anthony Holmes, 30, of Pottsville, as the person who had shot the dog.
Wojciechowsky said that Holmes was located on Sunday, February 25th, 2018 and took him into custody.
During an interview with police, Holmes admitted to investigators that he had shot the dog with a .38 caliber revolver and had then hidden the weapon inside the home of an acquaintance. Holmes provided further information that enabled officers to recover the weapon.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Pottsville Patrolman Jonathan Randolph charging Holmes with Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal, Possessing Instruments of Crime, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Cruelty to Animal and Discharging a Firearm in the City.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Pottsville Patrolman Jonathan Randolph charging Holmes with Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal, Possessing Instruments of Crime, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Cruelty to Animal and Discharging a Firearm in the City.
Holmes was arraigned by on-duty Magisterial District Judge Ferrier, Orwigsburg, who set bail at $15,000 and Holmes was committed to the Schuylkill County Prison pending posting of bail or further court action.
Diddy is currently recovering at an emergency veterinarian hospital. As of Sunday afternoon he was listed in critical condition and had developed aspiration pneumonia. He is also reported to have had bullet fragments in his jaw. His medical bills have been covered by the Hillside SPCA.
Anyone wishing to help pay for Diddy's medical bills can do so by donating to Joe and Caroline Emergency Fund online @ Hillsidespca.com, at the shelter, or Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville PA 17901.
The money donated goes directly to Joe and Caroline's Emergency Fund which directly cares for any expenses needed.
Diddy is currently recovering at an emergency veterinarian hospital. As of Sunday afternoon he was listed in critical condition and had developed aspiration pneumonia. He is also reported to have had bullet fragments in his jaw. His medical bills have been covered by the Hillside SPCA.
Anyone wishing to help pay for Diddy's medical bills can do so by donating to Joe and Caroline Emergency Fund online @ Hillsidespca.com, at the shelter, or Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville PA 17901.
The money donated goes directly to Joe and Caroline's Emergency Fund which directly cares for any expenses needed.
