As I sit and write these words, I'm at a loss. What would cause another person to take and harm another person's pet? These aren't just animals, they're family members. An Iowa man is mourning the loss of his two dogs after they went missing in late July.

Officials in Cass County are investigating a case in which two dogs were found dead on Tuesday, according to KCCI. Officials say that they were found near a bridge on 660th street near Tuscon Road just outside of Cumberland, Iowa. Sheriff's officials say that the two dogs had their back legs bound together and both had then been shot in the head.

KCCI reports that the dogs belonged to Owen Lank. Bella was a 2-year-old pitbull who Lank says "loved to cuddle." Pepper was a 3-year-old Black Lab who Lank called "obedient...like a sister to Bella." What started off as a search for his two dogs has ended in the worst kind of pain. Lank told KCCI that "the community was a big help. They were all searching. We had people from everywhere looking for them."

Lank wants to know why his dogs were "found with their legs tied, shot in the back of the head, and thrown over the bridge." KCCI reports that the bridge near where the dogs were found is just two miles from where Lank lives. Cass County Sheriff's officials say that whoever is responsible could face animal cruelty charges. Officials say that based on pictures, they think the dogs were killed on or around July 27th.

Sheriff's officials tell KCCI that they believe that this was a random act and that they don't believe anyone is going around shooting people's dogs. Lanks just wants justice for his pets. Anyone with information in the case is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff's office at 712-243-2206.

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