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Please see story below to understand video. It will also be linked at the bottom. https://youtu.be/LOPNYE9GuH4?si=g8f3P5e_d-3fYJ1p
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I’m sharing this story in hopes of helping Wendy Fuller (a longtime friend who is like family to me) with an emergency veterinarian bill. Her dog, Tartan, was the victim of a horrific incident that occurred on May 17th.
I’m praying not only that she receives the help she needs to pay for his care, but also that Tartan receives the justice he deserves.
Here’s what happened:
On May 17th, Wendy needed to make a quick trip to her mom’s house—just five minutes away—to feed and let out her mom’s dog, as her mother was out of town on vacation. Before she left, Wendy let her own dogs out to potty and decided to leave the back door open since it was a beautiful day. Her yard is enclosed by a stockade privacy fence, and she expected to be gone for only a short time.
When she returned home, she was horrified to find her dog, Tartan, on the back porch covered in blood, with flesh hanging from him. In shock, she scooped him up and rushed to the Northwood VCA in Anderson. While on the way, she received a call from a friend whose brother-in-law—an Anderson police officer—had already heard about the shooting. The friend asked if she was okay. Wendy explained that she was physically unharmed but was frantically taking Tartan to the emergency vet and had no idea what had happened.
That’s when she was told: Tartan had been shot by the neighbor behind her house—with an AK-47.
By the time Wendy arrived at VCA, she was hysterical and confused. According to the police report, the neighbor claimed that Tartan had gotten into his yard and was aggressively going after his wife and their German Shepherd. This made absolutely no sense to Wendy or anyone who knows Tartan. He is known as the sweetest, most lovable dog who wants nothing more than to play. He has spent time at Pendleton doggy daycare (Dogz n Sudz) and the 4 Paw Lodge, and he’s never shown aggression toward any dog or human. At his vet in Carmel (VCA), he’s even known as “the fan favorite.”
The police report also mentioned that the neighbor’s wife screamed for her husband to protect her and their dog. However, two neighbors—who live on either side of Wendy—shared video/audio footage from their security cameras. While the video didn’t show the event directly, the audio clearly captured only a bit of barking (possibly from Wendy’s other dog and the neighbor’s dog). All three dogs were apparently running along the fence together as dogs often do. Then there was a moment of silence—followed by a loud gunshot and Tartan’s anguished squeal.
It’s heartbreaking to hear.
At no point in the footage does anyone yell, nor do you hear signs of a dog fight.
At the vet, a police officer spoke to Wendy and said the shooter claimed Tartan entered their yard through a plank in the fence that had come loose during a recent storm. Wendy was confused—she had just mowed the yard the night before and would have noticed a missing plank.
After about an hour, the vet informed Wendy that Tartan might survive but would need to have his leg amputated. The bullet had shattered the bones and destroyed all the ligaments. Though Wendy couldn’t afford the surgery, she didn’t hesitate: “Yes—whatever it takes.”
She couldn’t bear to lose him.
She had already rescued Tartan once—he had lived five months in a shelter and was scheduled to be euthanized before Wendy adopted him at the last minute. She tried to find someone else to adopt him at the time, but when no one came forward, she stepped up—and instantly fell in love with him.
Tartan underwent a two-hour surgery and made it through! Even while fighting for his life, he wagged his tail and greeted the vet staff lovingly. They were amazed by how friendly and sweet he remained, despite his severe injuries.
Later, the vet told Wendy she could go home and they would update her after surgery and recovery. While home, her friends helped repair the section of the fence, placing cinder blocks where the dog might have accessed the neighbor’s yard. Wendy, still shaken, let her other dog out and took the opportunity to confront her neighbor.
Standing on a step ladder to see over the fence, Wendy asked the neighbor why he had shot Tartan. He replied that his wife and dog were afraid for their lives. His wife then came out and began yelling at Wendy, calling her a bad neighbor. Wendy, shocked, said she’d never even spoken to them before. The neighbor claimed Wendy had spoken to his wife once before, but Wendy has no memory of that.
Wendy asked if Tartan had bitten anyone, and the wife said no—but that she feared he might. So she screamed, and her husband shot him with an AK-47. Again, the neighbor footage contradicts their story—no yelling, no signs of a fight. Wendy asked the neighbor if he had PTSD, and he admitted that he did. Many people in the neighborhood are now very concerned that someone with an infantry-style weapon used it in a residential area—and fear for their children and pets.
Rightfully so.
I should also mention: my own dogs often run up and down the fence line with the neighbor’s dogs—that’s normal dog behavior. But unlike Wendy, whose yard is securely fenced, this neighbor has no fence yet lets his dog roam freely behind their house, barking at Wendy’s dogs.
Wendy’s 82-year-old mother, Cheryl, later asked the neighbor if he could keep his dog inside at a set time each day so she could help let Wendy’s dogs out without incident. He said he’d ask his wife. But when Cheryl came over at the agreed-upon time, the wife deliberately let their dog out instead. Cheryl had to ask three times before she finally brought the dog back inside.
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I am praying that this story reaches as many people as possible. Please consider helping Wendy cover the cost of Tartan’s emergency surgery. If you’re not able to give, you can still help by sharing this story.
Tartan is healing and already learning to adapt with three legs. It’s heartbreaking to see him this way, but we’re so grateful that he’s alive.
Tartan has no aggressive bone in his body. He is deeply loved by everyone who’s met him.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for your support. ♥️
See below the link to listen to the audio sent to Wendy from a neighbor, of Tartan being shot.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lexi Murrell
Organizer
Anderson, IN
Wendy Fuller
Beneficiary