BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
MAHER, W.Va. — A Mingo County family is offering a reward for information after finding their Labrador retriever hanging from a utility pole near their home Aug. 9—what Sheriff Joe Smith called a “heinous act of violence.”
Kris and Brittany Edminston and their two sons returned to their home in Maher and discovered Duke, their white Labrador retriever, hanging from a section of television cable attached to a utility pole.
The cable was wrapped around Duke’s neck and tied in a slipknot, according to the family. Attempts to save the dog were unsuccessful.
The Edminstons contacted the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office, which opened an investigation.
“There are always those crimes that just tear at your heart, and this was one of them,” Smith said. “To know that someone had no regard for the suffering they inflicted on this defenseless animal is extremely disturbing, and we will do everything we can to hold them accountable. I know nothing can give this family back their dog, but we can make every attempt to bring those responsible to justice.”
Smith is asking anyone with information about the killing to contact his office.
Brittany Edminston described Duke as a gentle, friendly dog who “never met a stranger.”
“This dog was truly one of the absolute sweetest, most harmless animals you could ever meet,” she said. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly. I cannot wrap my head around what kind of a sick human being could intentionally do something so cruel to a defenseless animal.”
The family said people sometimes cross their private property to reach a fishing area along the Tug River. Edminston said the family has wondered whether Duke may have followed someone toward the river because of his friendly nature. Still, they do not know who killed the dog or why.
“He never met a stranger,” she said.
Edminston said the manner of Duke’s death has left the family concerned not only about losing their pet but also about their safety.
“I believe that anyone who would be so cruel and heartless and take an animal’s life could definitely have it in them to hurt a human, especially one that could not physically defend themselves or fight back,” she said. “That’s even more incentive to find whoever is responsible.”
Neighbors, friends and co-workers have rallied around the Edminston family and helped spread word of the investigation.
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Edminston said. “Our family is devastated, and not only have we lost our sweet boy, Duke; something like this makes you question just how safe we really are, even when we are on our own property. It’s impossible for my husband and me to come to grips with this, so imagine how hard it is for our sons.”
The family is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible.
Anyone with information may contact the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office at 304-235-0300 or Mingo County Dispatch after hours at 304-235-8551. Tipsters are not required to provide their names.