Police in Cohasset, Massachusetts are searching for a driver who hit and killed a dog Monday then took off.
Kathleen McGuire only had her 10-month-old puppy, Karhu, for a few days, but she had already fallen in love. She drove all the way to Virginia to pick him up, adopting him from South Carolina.
"He was just such a cuddle-bug," she said. "I think he didn't realize what it was like to have love and attention, and then he just soaked it up."
After he went to work Monday, she learned her Karelian bear dog had been hit and killed.
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"It appears he climbed the fence and got out," she said.
The dog was hit near the intersection of Pond Street and Clay Spring Road just before 8 a.m., police said. Kids were filing into the high school nearby at the time.
"I feel bad for all the kids going to school that had to witness it. And I am so thankful for all the people that stopped and helped," McGuire said. "They're phenomenal in this town."
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Police are looking for a white Jeep Grand Cherokee model year 2011-2022, with chrome trim. The vehicle will likely have damage to the front right end.
"Witness accounts stated that a vehicle did pull over initially, however, the vehicle did not stop, the operator did not wait for police arrival," said Joshua Kimball, a natural resources officer with the Cohasset Police Department.
Police released surveillance footage of the suspect vehicle.
"I just hope the person comes forward, and people learn from this that as awful as it is, just stop," McGuire said. "We know it's an accident, and things happen. Sometimes you can't avoid it."
In Massachusetts, if you hit and injure a dog or cat with your vehicle, you are required by law to report it to the owner or to police.
Anyone with surveillance footage is asked to contact Cohasset police. Anyone who thinks they recognize the vehicle or with other information can call the Cohasset Police Natural Resources Officer Josh Kimball at 781-383-1055 ext. 6125.
