Family Pleas For Justice After Dog Shot Dead

A family is pleading for justice after their beloved dog Zoey was shot dead. It happened in the 300 block of N. Sheridan on May 26 just outside their backyard.

“They heard four shots. Pop, pop, pop, pop,” described owner Justin Steidinger.

Steidinger had just left for work when he got a frantic call from his neighbor. When he arrived home, the Pikes Peak Humane Society was taking away Zoey.

“I lost a member of my family,” he said.

His neighbor, Chris Thomas, was sitting on his patio when he noticed a man walking back and forth. He said a few minutes later, he heard gun shots.

“He called and told police he shot a dog in self-defense,” said Thomas.

Thomas said Zoey wasn’t an aggressive dog and never saw her act aggressively that day.

Colorado Springs police have turned over their investigation to the Pikes Peak Humane Society. The Humane Society expects to wrap their investigation up this week before deciding whether to file charges.

Neighbors said the shooter owns a rental property nearby and was doing some work. We were not able to reach him for comment.