Thinking it was a rabbit, a UK Marriott Hotel pest controller shot and killed John Kirby’s beloved dog, Wilma.
Thinking it was a rabbit, a UK Marriott Hotel pest controller shot and killed John Kirby’s beloved dog, Wilma.
Wilma was a whippet, a breed known for their long thin legs and pronounced snout.
The devastated owner said his dogs ran through the hedge that separated his yard from the hotel’s golf course.
He was confident that the duo never went on the actual green, just frolicked around its perimeter a bit.
Kirby also made it clear that he always knew exactly where the dogs were and that they’d come home when called.
On the night of the shooting, he could hear them and heard the shot fired.
When summoned, only one of them returned.
Hotel management extended their apologies and said that the incident was under review.
They’ve stopped their pest control activities, which include preventing damage to the golf course, until the police investigation into the matter is completed.
Kirby was little comforted, saying “How could you shoot a dog? I want to speak to the person who did it and just ask 'why'?
"How could you mistake it for something else? She was just a whippet and a really nice dog that was like a member of the family."
