'They could have killed me': Dad devastated after dog fatally shot by 'hunters'
A heartbroken Victorian dad has spoken of his devastation after he says he woke up to find his dog shot dead while on a camping trip.
Coby Ray, 22, said he was camping with his Kelpie cross Labrador named Brindle at Rumpffs Flat Camping Ground in northern Victoria on May 13.
“I was dropped off at this campground which has no reception for what was supposed to be five days alone with Brindle to try help deal with depression,” Mr Ray told Yahoo News Australia.
Mr Ray was sleeping in a swag with his “best mate”, Brindle, tied up nearby.
But in the middle of the night on May 14 the father said he heard gunshots.
Thinking the shots were fired by spotlight hunters chasing a deer or a wombat he went back to sleep.
The next morning Mr Ray woke and called out for Brindle.
“I woke up to call her name and she didn't move then I saw the blood and realised what had happened when I saw the hole in her chest,” he said.
“After crying for around an hour I buried her and feeling torn up I had to wait till Thursday night (May 16) until I saw a car to wave down.”
Mr Ray’s partner picked him up nearby.
The incident not only has him heartbroken over the loss of a dog he has had since he was a child, but also suffering anxiety.
“I've been waking up from terrors thinking someone is shooting at me,” he said.
“If they had missed by about two feet to the left they could have shot me through the leg or if they were a really bad shot they could have killed me.”
The dad added he took his daughter, Saphirah, to the same camping spot last year.
He said he had not been deterred from camping at Rumpffs Flat Camping Ground again and “a lot of kind strangers” had been in touch on learning of the shooting.
They have offered to visit the grounds with him and bring their dogs.
The 22-year-old told of his ordeal on YouTube and his video has had more than 10,000 views.
A crowdfunding page has also been created in the hopes of raising money for a new puppy.
Police are investigating the dog’s death.
Mr Ray told them he believes the vehicle the spotlight hunters were in was headed towards the town of Licola in the state’s north.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
