I think the man who shot Penny SOUNDS like a drunken, heartless human being, but I have only read the articles and things said here. I certainly believe he should not have shot poor Penny. Better he had called Animal Control and reported the situation, I am not sure if he had done so in the past. No one here believes Penny deserved to lose her life, I promise you that. People are upset because this was preventable. I just adopted a new puppy myself and she is completely and totally my responsibility. There is a leash law here and if she went wandering off and someone hurt her, it would ultimately be my fault. It is the same when a dog wanders out of the yard and ends up hit by a car, ultimately it is the responsibility of the dog's owner to keep their pet safe.

I know you must feel horrible, and that it has to be difficult to read some of these things, but it ultimately it would be best to just understand that responsibility to Penny was neglected in this, and thus prevent anything like it from ever happening again.

I personally have had times when I was careless, i.e. I open the front door and one of my dogs shot out. I didn't take care to make sure I was paying attention and keep it from happening. It was an accident but if something had happened, it still ultimately would have been my fault. My dogs are very good about staying in the yard so it was no big deal, BUT there is always a risk.

People here are very deeply animal lovers, and they are extremely saddened and upset to learn what happened to Penny, but we see that it was preventable too, thus the opinions expressed here. If my dog had gotten hurt or killed when he ran out the door, no matter if it was an accident, no matter if I had been sick or tired and thus not paying as much attention, it would still be my fault. That would be the hardest thing in the world to face, but it would be undeniable.

My deepest sympathies in your loss.