Crime & Safety

Police Search for Driver That Allegedly Killed Dog on Purpose

The video shows a newer sedan speeding up and veering toward the dog, which was killed on impact. Police are asking the public for help.

A 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Snoopy is dead after police said a car allegedly ran him over on purpose Monday. 

According to St. Petersburg Police, at about 7:51 a.m. Jan. 14, a witness observed a blue four-door sedan heading west in the alley behind 5149 3rd Ave. N.

A moment later the same vehicle was seen heading back east in the alley, now driving at a high rate of speed.  

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The witness saw a small dog running ahead of it and then struck by the car, which continued to leave the area without stopping.

Police said based on the witnesses' account, it appeared that the driver intentionally ran over the dog.

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Snoopy's owner, Paul Alves, told the Tampa Bay Times that Snoopy was a good dog that sometimes got out of the back yard but would always come back. 

When Snoopy did not come back Monday, Alves went to look for him, according to the Times. 

He found his 25-year-old neighbor and her children there, visibly upset. Then he saw his dog lying nearby on the ground, dead.

"It was just horrible," Alves said. "You could see his neck was broken."

The witness could not see who was driving the car at the time, but it is likely that the person may reside or know someone somewhere in the immediate area, police said.

Responding officers and the owner found the dog dead on the scene

Snoopy, police said, had slipped out from his fenced in backyard not far from where he was struck.

Investigating officers located a neighbor who had a home security camera, which provided an alley view of the area.  

In the surveillance video, the suspect's vehicle can be seen heading east in the alley. Although barely seen, Snoopy is visible on the north side of the alley immediately after being struck.

Detectives have released the alley surveillance video in the hopes of identifying the driver of the suspect vehicle. Police said at this point they would just like to interview the driver in order to determine his or her intent.

The make and model of the car has not yet been determined but it does appear to be a newer model blue four-door sedan, police said.

Anyone with information should call the non-emergency number at 727-893-7780, Text-A-Tip to 727-420-8911 or leave a confidential tip at 727-892-5000.


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