Emaciated Dog Found Shot, Authorities Are Investigating And Need Your Help

Rico’s Case: Community Sought, Answers Needed After Tragic Discovery in Armstrong County

Authorities in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, are appealing for information after a young pit bull mix named Rico was found in heartbreaking condition and later confirmed deceased. On August 3, along Gruskin Road in Kittanning, a passerby noticed the severely emaciated dog and wanted to help. Because he had two dogs with him, he chose not to introduce them to Rico, instead calling family members for assistance and planning to return with support. In the 40 to 45 minutes before they came back, events took a devastating turn that changed the course of the rescue attempt.

Humane officer Susan Clark detailed what responders encountered on their return. Rico, who moments earlier had a chance at immediate care, had been shot twice in the head. Clark expressed the sorrow and disbelief felt by investigators and animal advocates, explaining that it is difficult to comprehend how a situation that began with an effort to help could end in violence. Her account underscores the urgency of finding the person responsible and understanding exactly what happened in that short window of time.

The investigation revealed another critical fact. Rico had been reported missing by a family as of July 4, which adds a painful layer to the timeline. How he went from being a missing pet to a starved and fatally injured dog remains unknown. Authorities believe that someone may have seen Rico in the weeks between Independence Day and August 3, perhaps noticing a thin pit bull mix near roads, parks, or neighborhood edges. Any observation, even if it seems small, could help investigators reconstruct his path and identify who was with him last.

Clark emphasized that animal lives are protected under the law, whether the animals are pets, farm animals, or wildlife. She urged community members to report suspected neglect or cruelty promptly, noting that every report helps build a safer environment for animals and people. Rico’s case illustrates how quickly circumstances can change and how vital early intervention can be when an animal is in distress.

Information Needed and How to Help

• Sightings of Rico between July 4 and August 3, including locations, dates, and times.
• Any vehicles, individuals, or unusual activity observed along Gruskin Road on August 3.
• Social media posts, texts, or conversations that mentioned a thin or stray pit bull mix in the area.
• Surveillance footage from homes or businesses near Kittanning that might show Rico or relevant activity.

At-a-Glance Timeline

Date	Event	Location
July 4	Rico reported missing by his family	Armstrong County
August 3	Severely emaciated dog observed by passerby	Gruskin Road, Kittanning
August 3	Within 40–45 minutes, dog found shot twice	Same area, rescue attempt halted

If you have any information, please contact humane officer Susan Clark at 724-316-7691. Even a small detail can move this investigation forward and honor Rico’s memory with accountability and care.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.