A Marion County family is grieving the loss of their golden retriever, Bella, who was shot with an arrow and later euthanized due to the severity of her injuries.
What we know:
MARION COUNTY, Fla. - A Marion County family is grieving the loss of their golden retriever, Bella, who was shot with an arrow and later euthanized due to the severity of her injuries.
Bella returned home from the woods near her house with a deep wound and an arrow lodged in her back.
Marion County Animal Services and the Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident, and a witness reported seeing two men leaving the area in a brown 1970s or 1980s Ford F-150 with wooden boards along the truck bed.
The shooting happened near the intersection of Southeast Second Place and Southeast 170th Avenue.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not yet identified or located the individuals responsible for Bella’s death.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear — whether it was intentional, accidental, or an act of animal cruelty.
Investigators are also working to determine if Bella was specifically targeted or if other animals in the area could be at risk.
The backstory:
Bella was a beloved pet who had been with her family for five years.
Her owners describe her as a friendly and gentle golden retriever who never showed aggression.
They were horrified when she returned home with a severe wound, helpless as she bled on their porch.
They rushed her to the hospital but she had to be euthanized.
The sudden and violent nature of her death left them devastated and desperate for justice.
What they're saying:
Heather Kee, one of Bella’s owners, recalled the moment she saw her injured pet.
"I just saw all the blood and all the bleeding, and I just thought, she's just going to completely bleed out on my porch before we can get her anywhere."
"All I could do was kneel down beside her and let her know everything was okay, I.
I couldn't really do anything," said Alex Gerber, Bella’s other owner.
Gerber, described Bella’s loving nature.
"She was a golden retriever.
So it's not in her bones or breed to be mean to anybody, anyways.
Even if you were a stranger, she’d come out to you and love on you… she was an all around great dog."
What you can do:
The community is being urged to come forward with any information that could help authorities track down the suspects.
Marion County officials are offering a cash reward for tips, reinforcing the seriousness of the case.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Bella's owner, Heather Kee and Alex Gerber, and the Marion County Sheriff's Office.