Beloved Boxer shot by security guard in Fredericksburg, VA

'Socks,' the 7-year-old pet of Barbara Krech, was shot Saturday night by a security guard at the Wellington Woods apartment complex. The dog died from its wounds.

Date published: 11/1/2006

By KEITH EPPS

Seven years ago, Barbara Krech named her puppy "Socks" because she had white paws.

Those paws were red with blood Saturday night after Krech's beloved dog was shot outside her home at the Wellington Woods apartment complex in Fredericksburg by a security officer who was patrolling the complex.

The dog was shot twice in the left side, police said. The 7-year-old boxer died a short time later and Krech and many of her neighbors are furious.

"I'm outraged," said Maegan Wells, who lives in an apartment above Krech. "My 5-year-old son adored that dog."

"I have no idea why something so stupid could have happened," neighbor David Mack said. "Everyone knows that dog and the dog has never shown any aggression."

Krech said she was home Saturday night when a friend who was visiting took Socks outside to urinate in some nearby rose bushes. Krech said Socks has followed a similar routine since she moved to the complex six years ago.

Krech said the next thing she heard was "pow! pow!" She said her friend, a Hispanic man who speaks broken English, returned to the apartment and said "Barbara, Barbara the Socks the security shoot."

Socks staggered back to the apartment, a trail of blood following the 70-pound dog from the rose bushes to the couch. She was taken to an animal hospital, where she died.

Fredericksburg police investigated the incident and filed no charges against the security officer, who works for a firm called Remote Surveillance Technology Solutions.

Police spokesman Jim Shelhorse said the brief police report quotes a witness saying that the dog was walking toward the security officer shortly after 9 p.m. when she was shot.

Shelhorse would not release the security officer's name because he was not charged.

But witnesses at the complex Monday insisted that the dog made no aggressive move that night or before. One woman gave a written statement in which she claimed the dog was still urinating when she was shot.

Mack said the man who was with Socks was standing so close that blood from the dog spurted onto his pants.

Spokespersons for the apartment management and the security firm would not comment on the situation.

A sergeant with the security firm referred a reporter to the city police report. A woman who answered the phone at the apartment complex said discussing the issue would violate the complex's confidentiality policy.

Residents had plenty to say Monday, expressing both anger and sorrow about the dog's demise. A number of people stopped by to offer Krech their condolences, and some even brought cards and flowers.

"I can't believe he shot my dog," a sobbing Krech said while men cleaned blood from her carpet and sofa.

"We're hurting," said her brother, Gary Fritter. "We've lost a family member, and we don't believe there was any reason for it to happen."

To reach KEITH EPPS:540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com