Cancer survivor's puppy has head shot off

By Suzanne Fournier
Vancouver Province

Monday, September 15, 2008

CREDIT:
Max, with his dog Seymour in happier times.

Quadra Island grandparents Margaret and Chris Rose are comforting their grandson Max, a cancer survivor who saw his beloved puppy's head shot off in what the Rose family says could not have been a hunting accident.

"Absolutely not, this was not an accident. There is a history with this particular hunter," said Chris Rose, who with his wife Margaret runs the "pet-friendly Rose Seaside Retreat" on Quadra Island.

Max, 12, who has survived surgery for brain cancer, was cutting wood with his father Nick Rose on Saturday morning when their Jack Russell terrier puppy Seymour ran out onto the road, barking at two men who had just come out of a nearby woodlot.

The two called the puppy, who grandfather Chris describes as a "friendly, cute and lovable pup, very calm, not at all aggressive," but the pup had not returned before a shotgun discharge rang out.

Father Nick and Max ran out to the road see the little puppy quivering, with half of his head blown off.

"Our son brought both of our grandchildren (Max has a 14-year-old sister) over here and we comforted and reassured them," said Margaret Rose this morning (Monday). "Max was crying but he was also very angry."

Quadra Island RCMP confirmed that the alleged shooter "fled Quadra Island before he could be arrested."

The man was able to flee the island before he could be interviewed by police, who went to the nearby home of the alleged shooter's father, who was found to be in legal possession of 25 firearms.

RCMP say they expect to issue a warrant for the alleged shooter's arrest later. He is believed to be in Victoria.

"Our son had a 40th birthday party recently and this man (the alleged shooter) crashed the party and caused a fight in which our son was injured," said Chris Rose. "The police say this family is known to them and unfortunately they live nearby to our son and his family. We're very concerned because the father was nasty and made a terrible racket with police."

Chris Rose said grandson Max is especially distraught because he just lost another puppy, who was Seymour's brother, only three weeks ago. The dog had to be put down after he was completely blinded by glaucoma and an injury.

RCMP expect to issue an update on their search for the alleged shooter, who is well-known on Quadra, later today.

E-mail reporter Suzanne Fournier at sfournier@theprovince.com

© Vancouver Province 2008

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