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Beth Cohen, Buddy's mom, said the family has been "devasted" since his death on Monday, June 3 on Long Beach.
According to Cohen and Long Beach Police Sgt. Brett Curtis, a neighbor let Buddy out in the backyard as he sometimes does and when he returned a few minutes later, he found Buddy bleeding in the grass.
The neighbor then rushed the dog to the veterinarian who performed an X-ray which found a small round object lodged in his heart. The doctor believes it may be a BB or a pellet from a pellet gun, Cohen said.
Police said they are taking the matter very seriously and are awaiting the results of a necropsy to find out what type of bullet to help with the investigation.
"I want people to know that BB guns are not toys and that instead of Buddy, it could have been a child," said Cohen. "They are dangerous weapons."
The family adopted Buddy from a rescue six years ago and have grown to cherish the little guy.
"He was a special, one-of-a-kind dog," she said. "He was my heart. I just feel empty."
Cohen said her daughter and husband are just as devasted and all hope the person is found so they understand how dangerous BB guns can be.
"We are dog people and have lost dogs before due to old age, but losing Buddy like this was so sudden and hard to deal with."
The Long Beach Detectives are investigating with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office Animal Crimes Unit. They request that anyone with information contact Long Beach Detectives at 516-705-7320.
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