Several organizations have made contributions.
The owner of the seven-month-old Golden Retriever puppy who was shot and killed in January is reminding residents that the case is still under investigation. Lynette Kaufman of Middletown says the reward for information which leads to a conviction in this incident is up to $8,000. She says the Humane Society of United States has put up $2500, and Luis Montalvan, the author of "Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him," matched that amount. In addition, "Goldheart," a Golden Retriever rescue organization, is putting up $3000.
Kaufman's Golden Retriever, Heidi, was found shot to death on Wednesday, January 4th in the 2900 block of Station Road in the Middletown area. The canine's body was located near Kaufman's home. The dog had been shot four times. "If it had been one, you'd think was an accident. But four is not an accident," says Kaufman.
She said Heidi's death was shocking. "I was just totally devastated," says Kaufman. "I really felt I was going to lose my mind." Kaufman also says it shattered her sense of security because the dog's body was found near where her grandson likes to play. "I'm raising my six-year-old grandson. So for a long time, I wouldn't let him outside," she says.
Kaufman is urging anyone with information on this incident to contact Frederick County Animal Control.
Recently, Kaufman went down to Annapolis to show her support for a bill, called Heidi's Law, that would require anyone convicted of felony animal abuse offenses to register with an animal abuse registry. "If we had an animal abuse registry, people would actually think twice before doing it," she says. "Working for a rescue, being the vice president of Goldheart Golden Retriever Rescue, it would give people a chance to look at the registry and to know whether they could adopt or sell a dog to that person."
The legislation is sponsored by Frederick County State Senator Ron Young.
It's similar to the sex offender registry, where individuals convicted of sex offenses would need to register with local law enforcement wherever they work, live or attend school.
WFMD News asked Kaufman what she would say to this individual if he or she is arrested and charged with shooting Heidi. "My hardest problem with all of this is not understanding why. I know it sounds stupid, but I would just look at them and say 'why,'" she says. "Try and get some comprehension of how you could even get it into your head to do something like this."
