Target: John Kermit Hill, Grayson County District Attorney, Texas
Goal: Prosecute the two men who allegedly shot a dog with a pellet gun and stood over her with a hammer to the fullest extent of the law.
A deeply disturbing act of alleged animal cruelty was uncovered in Texas. Police responded to reports of a dog being shot with a pellet gun — and arrived to seemingly find a man standing over the injured animal holding a hammer. According to the Sherman Police Department, the dog, now named Olivia, sustained a jaw fracture, a nasal cavity fracture, lost an eye, and still has several pellet gun projectiles embedded in her neck. Two men were arrested and charged with third-degree felony animal cruelty after they reportedly admitted to police they were attempting to euthanize the animal. Despite this admission, and despite one of the accused reportedly being found standing over Olivia with a hammer when officers arrived, the dog survived — and shelter staff say she continues to display a sweet temperament.
Police were called to the scene after reports of a dog yelping for an extended period. The two accused, Thomas Bush, 52, and Gary Larkins, 41, face third-degree felony charges of cruelty to non-livestock animals causing serious bodily injury — charges that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Grayson County District Attorney has publicly stated his office takes animal cruelty cases seriously and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. The cases will be referred to a grand jury. Public support for Olivia has been overwhelming, with donations of toys and food flooding the shelter specifically for her care.
No animal should be subjected to a pellet gun, a hammer, and a jaw fracture as a means of alleged “euthanasia.” The apparent admission by both accused that they intended to kill the animal does not mitigate the extreme and prolonged suffering Olivia reportedly endured — it underscores it. Demand the Grayson County District Attorney ensure that both cases proceed to full prosecution and that the court is urged to impose the maximum available sentence, reflecting the brutality of what this dog allegedly suffered.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear District Attorney Hill,
We are writing to urge the fullest possible prosecution of two men charged with felony animal cruelty after a dog named Olivia was allegedly shot with a pellet gun and beaten with a hammer, sustaining a jaw fracture, nasal cavity fracture, the loss of an eye, and multiple embedded projectiles still remaining in her neck. Both men reportedly admitted to police they were attempting to euthanize the animal. When officers arrived, one of the accused was reportedly found standing over the injured dog holding a hammer. The alleged manner of this attempted killing caused extreme and documented physical suffering to a defenseless animal.
We acknowledge your office’s public commitment to prosecuting this case to the fullest extent of the law and your statement that Grayson County takes animal cruelty seriously. We are writing to reinforce that commitment and to urge that both cases be presented to the grand jury without delay and pursued with the vigour this alleged conduct demands. Olivia survived — but she lost an eye, suffered multiple fractures, and remains in shelter care with pellets still embedded in her body. The physical record of her suffering is extensive and undeniable.
We respectfully demand that your office pursue the maximum available sentence of up to 10 years and $10,000 in fines against both accused, and ensure that any conviction includes a permanent prohibition on animal ownership. Olivia’s recovery has been remarkable — the community’s outpouring of support for her is a testament to how seriously this case is being taken by the public. We ask that your office match that seriousness in the courtroom.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Inge Van den Heuvel
