St. Bernard Shot To Death In Chester Township

"It's a big hole in your life." Pictures of their 7-year-old St. Bernard are all the Simms family has left of the dog.

Cheryl Simms say her 15-year old son and 5-year old daughter are especially heart broken.

"She's crying profusely. I go through bouts when I'm okay then the next moment it's so empty without her," said Cheryl.

Someone took their St. Bernard, named Clara, out of the family's fenced in backyard where she was tied to a leash, eating dinner and getting fresh air last Thursday night. But that isn't the worst part. That heartless person pumped two deadly bullets into the gentle giant and killed her.

"It's shocking and unbelievable. It was truly heart breaking. Who thinks someone would do this to an animal?"

Cheryl and her son heard the gunshots. They ran outside and found Clara a few feet away from the yard. She was bleeding in the alley near Powell and Worrilow Road.

"It's very inhumane. It's scary that people out here have such little regard for life."

The family said, and police confirm, there have never been any complaints from neighbors about the dog. They don't know who would have wanted Clara dead or why.

"She's a loveable dog. She never growled at anybody, she never bit anybody and she never went after anybody. It was just a senseless crime with hatred and murder," said Cheryl.

Police say two people were seen running away from the alley at the time. Witnesses weren't able to give a good description.

If you know anything, call Chester Township Police.