Hillsborough Animal investigators said they found a dog buried up to its neck in sand and shot twice in the head behind a vacant home in the Clair-Mel area.

“One of the most heinous animal abuse cases in my 11-years here that I’ve ever seen," said Animal Services investigation manager Pam Perry. "It’s a miracle that this dog is even alive.”



Perry said the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office received an anonymous call on Oct. 29, about shots fired at a vacant home on the 3200 block of Deerfield Drive. Deputies found the dog buried alive in the backyard of the vacant home and called a Hillsborough Animal Services officer who immediately began digging the dog out with her hands.



“What they saw was a dog, her head protruding from the ground still alive,” Perry said. “She began to unearth the dog. The dog was whimpering. It appeared from the area in the backyard. There were blood trails. There was also blood coming from the dog’s head.”



Investigators named the 2-year-old pit bull mix breed Phoebe. The dog was rushed to an emergency vet where it spent a week recovering.

"In addition to being shot, she was emaciated, weighed only 30-pounds,” Perry said. “We need the community's help to find out who committed this crime.”

Animal Services workers said they removed eight dogs from the neighborhood in the days leading up to this incident and wondered if someone was trying to send them a message.

"We also were concerned about our animal control officer's safety. This neighborhood is prime grounds for animal abuse," said Perry. "Was it a message to us, a message to the community or a cry for help?"

A neighbor said he's disturbed by the animal abuse taking place on his street.

"We’ve got a pit bull in the house. He’s part of the family," said Jamal Pyles. "Nobody condone that. I didn’t hear no gunshots or anything but yeah, that’s cruel."

Investigators said the only lead they have to go on came from another neighbor who said young teenagers would hang out at the vacant home and he saw dogs coming and going.

"Anyone please, please come forward. You can remain anonymous," Perry said. "We need your help to find out who did this cause this is sick."

Investigators are also looking for a good home to place Phoebe in once she's done recovering from her injuries. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Hillsborough Animal Services at (813) 744-5660.

