At least three dogs have been victims of random violence in Meade and Pennington counties within a three-week span, resulting in the death of one dog, according Mischa Hiland, Rapid City Animal Shelter manager. The shelter is under the direction of Humane Society of the Black Hills in Rapid City.

Hiland said a Piedmont rancher found and brought in the most recent victims, two yellow Labradors. One received medical treatment for two gunshot wounds to its right shoulder and the left mid-section of its spine.

Its companion was not as lucky. "It had died of blunt-force trauma to the chest," she said.

Both dogs were wearing collars, and the owner contacted the shelter about the missing dogs. He said he had let his dogs out of the house for a bathroom break, but they never returned home.

Another wounded dog is still recovering at the shelter after being found three weeks ago at a ranch 18 miles from the most recent shooting.

On Dec. 22, a Pennington County sheriff's deputy brought in a black Labrador-Doberman mix with a wound so severe that it was taken to a Rapid City veterinarian for surgery. The dog had shattered facial bones, and its right eye was swollen completely shut by a wound that was five or six days old. "The characteristics of the wound were that of a gunshot wound," Hiland said.

Called "Scarface" or "Scar" by shelter staff, the 3- to 4-year-old dog is still recovering, and staffers are waiting to see if the surgery saved its vision. "He started playing with me just the other day," Hiland said.

Scar has no collar or microchip and has not been neutered. "We have no idea where he comes from," Hiland said.

She said that the shelter has received a number of calls and reports about other domestic animals and wildlife being shot.

"If people have any information about these shootings, please call us," she said.

Hiland or officer Tonya Sabin may be reached at 394-4170.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com