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ALABAMA -- A deaf woman in Alabama is heartbroken after her deaf dog was shot and killed in broad daylight, according to WKRG.

Tabitha Venable lost her hearing when she was just four years old.

When she got her dog, Si, she was simply drawn to him. Si was also deaf.

"They were about to put to him sleep, because he was deaf," Venable said. "And I told her I wanted to see him, and he probably needed a deaf mom. So, we were paired up. He was a beautiful dog. I had to keep him."

Venable taught the dog sign language and a bond began between the two.

But recently everything changed.

"I came home and he was very lethargic," Venable said. "He was just walking, and I looked at him and said, 'are you okay?'"

But Si was not OK -- he was suffering from a gunshot wound.

The Vet attempted emergency surgery, but there was nothing they could do. Si was gone.

Officials belive Si was shot while he was in the yard during the day.

"I don't feel safe," Venable said. "If somebody shot my dog, It could happen to me. I can't hear a gunshot."

Chief Chris McLean, Satsuma Police said, "this is definitely a prime example of an animal cruelty case which is a class C felony. According to the vet, it appeared to be a small caliber wound such as a 22-caliber."

Venable wants justice, but knows this is a loss that cannot be replaced.

"I felt our connection. I feel like I was going to help him, be his mother, because I am deaf and he is deaf too. He was a good dog. He was very protective of me."