ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- One Ashland neighborhood is exercising caution tonight after a series of shootings targeting their pets.
The Miles family was victimized twice in one week.
Now one of their dogs is missing and the other is still recovering from his wounds.
Sarge, a Jack Russell Terrier was shot early in the morning on August 28th with some sort of pellet gun.
That same morning the Miles' other Jack Russell Terrier, Scout went missing.
Both incidents have left their owner, Kathryn Miles perplexed, "I don't really know the reason why someone would want to be so cruel," she said.
A week after Sarge had been shot in his backside he was shot again, this time in the neck.
"They had to hospitalize him, they couldn't take the pellet out because it would kill him," Miles said.
The hospital stay along with x-rays, antibiotics, and other medications racked up a veterinarian bill of nearly $400.00.
The Miles family is not alone, Jennifer Gentry's dog was also shot multiple times, she spent around $80.00 at the vet.
"I just think there is no excuse for animal abuse," Gentry said.
Kathryn Miles did contact the Sheriff’s Office about the shootings and warned neighbors, but worries whoever is doing this might not stop at dogs.
"If they are randomly shooting dogs what's next? They might miss their target and hit a child or something," Miles said.
So for now the Miles family is taking no chances, keeping Sarge in their sights whenever he is outside to avoid becoming a victim for the third time.