DAMMERON VALLEY – St. George News columnist Dallas Hyland was attending this evening’s St. George City Council debate when he received a disturbing message: someone had shot and killed his dog in Dammeron Valley.
Sasha, a year-and-a-half-old Alaskan Malamute, was playing in his parent’s front yard. Hyland’s mom heard the gunshots and ran outside to find the white pup dead in the front yard. Her home borders Bonnie Springs Road, which is a service road to BLM and U.S Forest land.
“As usual for this time of year, there was heavy traffic on the road for the deer hunt,” Hyland said. “… I am a hunter and I know that no hunter would have done this. This was a senseless crime committed by a deplorable human being. It is just reasonable to assert that it may have been someone out where the hunters were and might have been dressed like one.”
Hyland believes Sasha was killed by people passing the property in their vehicle and not someone in the yard provoking the animal as his mom did not see anyone after she heard the shots. Hyland said his dog had never attacked anyone either.
“This dog had the most incredible disposition and never in his life showed an ounce of aggression,” Hyland said. “He was the comforter and protector to my three young sons and faithful companion to me and my wife.”
Hyland said his family spoke to Officer Wes Licalzi with the Washington Sheriff’s Office who said it appeared to be an intentional kill – a felony.
“The discharge of a firearm on this road between two houses alone would have been illegal … “ Hyland said. “Any information about this would be greatly appreciated.”
Any persons who have any information are urged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 435-634-5730.
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That is so sad! I hope they find the people who did this senseless act of violence. She looks like she was a beautiful dog and I have know several people with that bread and they are not violent unless heavily provoked. Very sad to read, breaks my heart!
Im sorry that someone decided to murder the dog. I’d be very happy if that human was hunted down & killed.
But how interesting it is to see how some people can think it is barbaric & criminal to hunt & kill one type of creature, but perfectly acceptable to hunt & kill other equally innocent creatures, such as deer & elk! Whoever killed the dog –and clearly it was a hunter– probably has just as much guilt & remorse as the dog’s owner does about hunting, shooting & killing a deer or elk.
This is so sad! I have had a dog shot by a neighbor before. My dog had just had surgery and walked out on our dirt road to go to the bathroom and he shot him. People with no feelings toward animals do this. I am sorry for your lose!
I’m so sorry, Sasha was such a good dog with a really cool disposition! I cannot believe that someone would do that, its awful! Hope your family is doing well!
Dallas, this is Tragic! Such a Beautiful dog and companion to your family. Must be a sick individual out there to do something so cruel & hateful. I have #2 dogs that mean everything to me. I can’t imagine the grief of this…… Blessings to you and yours
Jan T.
Agree with Tim. I/m from here but never could understand the thrill, enthusiasm and emphasis put on hunting and “hunting season”…it’s so redneck and in humane!
Sorry to hear someone’s got it out for you Dallas. Such a shame that people are afraid of ideas.
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Keep up the good work and don’t be cowed by the bigots and the closed-minded.
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Sounds like the good-old-boy network at it again.
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I hate utah
Whoever did this has probably done it before and will do it again. Aside from the cruelty involved, what if a child had been standing behind the dog, out of sight? If a reward is offered in this case I’d like to contribute.
He’s getting close to the truth !