Texas robbers kill service dog that was protecting wheelchair user

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

AZLE, Texas -- Two masked robbers killed a service dog who was protecting his master, who uses a wheelchair, during a robbery Feb. 1.

According to the Parker County Sheriff's Department, the robbers entered a home in the West 40 Estates community through an unlocked back door at about 10:30 p.m. They demanded money from the man, who was in bed, and pistol-whipped him.

A relative told deputies that the man's dog, a 12-year-old German shepherd named Major, attacked the suspects. They then both shot the dog -- once in the shoulder and once between the eyes, with a .410-caliber shotgun and a .380-caliber handgun, authorities said.

A relative in another part of the home heard the gunfire, ran to the bedroom and saw the robbers run out with an undisclosed amount of cash, authorities said.

The woman jumped in her vehicle and chased the assailants, who were in a blue early-2000s Chevrolet pickup, but lost sight of it five minutes later near Silver Creek Elementary School on Farm Road 730.

Her vehicle was shot at least once on the driver's side, and she ended her pursuit because she feared for her safety, a sheriff's deputy said. The woman was not injured.

The man who was robbed refused hospitalization but received seven staples for wounds to the back of his head, authorities said.

"Obviously, we're going to put a lot of muscle and manpower behind this thing and see if we can't get these people located," said Larry Fowler, Parker County sheriff. "It was a vicious attack. We're just very fortunate that none of these people were hurt any worse than they were. It could have been a catastrophe."

A 12-year-old boy was also in the home at the time, but it is unclear what he saw. The robbers were wearing coveralls and pullover masks. The first is about 6 feet 2 inches tall, and the second is about 5 feet 9 inches, and both have medium builds, Fowler said.

"We are pursuing several leads at this time, but we don't have a primary suspect," Lt. Mark Arnett said.