"It's a big hole in your life." Pictures of their 7-year-old St. Bernard are all the Simms family has left of the dog.
Cheryl Simms say her 15-year old son and 5-year old daughter are especially heart broken.
"She's crying profusely. I go through bouts when I'm okay then the next moment it's so empty without her," said Cheryl.
Someone took their St. Bernard, named Clara, out of the family's fenced in backyard where she was tied to a leash, eating dinner and getting fresh air last Thursday night. But that isn't the worst part. That heartless person pumped two deadly bullets into the gentle giant and killed her.
"It's shocking and unbelievable. It was truly heart breaking. Who thinks someone would do this to an animal?"
Cheryl and her son heard the gunshots. They ran outside and found Clara a few feet away from the yard. She was bleeding in the alley near Powell and Worrilow Road.
"It's very inhumane. It's scary that people out here have such little regard for life."
The family said, and police confirm, there have never been any complaints from neighbors about the dog. They don't know who would have wanted Clara dead or why.
"She's a loveable dog. She never growled at anybody, she never bit anybody and she never went after anybody. It was just a senseless crime with hatred and murder," said Cheryl.
Police say two people were seen running away from the alley at the time. Witnesses weren't able to give a good description.
If you know anything, call Chester Township Police.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:47:08 GMT
"They just keep buying time. It's 60 days here and 60 days there. It's a small victory," said Brian Hathaway. He's one of hundreds of residents who left a meeting at Garnett Valley Middle School hesitant
Neighbors say developer that withdrew application to build is a stall tactic.
Friday, May 10 2013 7:37 AM EDT2013-05-10 11:37:01 GMT
Gregg Wolfe, like most parents, always thought he would look back on precious moments, like receiving Father's Day cards, with a smile. But instead he's fighting back tears.
Gregg Wolfe, like most parents, always thought he would look back on precious moments, like receiving Father's Day cards, with a smile. But instead he's fighting back tears.
Friday, May 10 2013 7:16 AM EDT2013-05-10 11:16:07 GMT
Heroin is killing young people at an alarming rate. And, parents, you think you'd recognize the signs. See what two grieving families missed until it was too late.
Heroin is killing young people at an alarming rate. And, parents, you think you'd recognize the signs. See what two grieving families missed until it was too late.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
"Clara," a St. Bernard, was shot and killed last week not far from her Delaware County home.
