Authorities are investigating a home break-in in Palm Bay in which a family dog was stabbed with scissors.
- Jasper suffered internal bleeding, spleen damage
- Dog-sitter called 911, took dog to hospital
- It was second break-in at Palm Bay home
Barbara Riha went to check on her neighbor's 2-year-old Yorkshire terrer, Jasper, Sunday morning. The dog-sitter was shocked at what she saw.
"I found his collar out in the road, and I knew something was wrong," Riha said.
Police said the dog had been stabbed with scissors, was bleeding internally and suffered spleen and gall-bladder damage.
Smashed glass was found all over the home, the front door and back porch. Police said the floors were coated with soap, drawers were open and that a TV and phone were stolen.
Riha called 911, along with the home and dog's owner, John Kilderry. After police responded, she took Jasper to an animal hospital.
Kilderry flew home from Boston, where he was with family.
"I didn't know if he was going to live, die or what," Kilderry said of his dog. "It was emotionally draining."
The surgery was successful, and Jasper is expected to be fine. But the experience has angered both the homeowner and dog-sitter.
"It's the kind that would want you to pet it," Kilderry said of Jasper.
His house was also burglarized three weeks ago.
Anyone with information is asked to call Palm Bay Police.