It was a careless or cowardly act, but either way the pain.and indignation is the same.

     Sometime on Monday, March 13 between 10:30 a.m and 2:45 p.m., a single gunshot killed a 7-month-old puppy.

     The cocker spaniel mixed dog was affectionately called “Bubba” by Geoff and Fran Pieninck.  He joined their family about five months ago at their home on Campbell Road in Marlborough Township.

Geoff Pienincks kneels with Jack and Jixxer at the spot where Bubba was found dead from a gunshot would.

     The Pieninck’s had visited the Perkiomenville SPCA looking to adopt a cat to join “Jack” and “Jixxer,” their other two dogs.  They came home with more than they expected.

     While at the SPCA adopting “Paco” the cat, a young puppy was returning from his bath.  Upon seeing the Pienincks, he immediately ran to Fran, and it was love at first sight, they said.  They came home with two new members of the family.

     Bubba was right at home with Pienincks, teaching the other dogs how to sleep on the couch (something they never did before).  The three dogs roamed the large property, protected by an “electrical fence” installed to keep them on their property.

     On Monday, the peaceful existence of the canine trio was shattered.  A single shot hit Bubba in the head, just above his left eye.  According to the Pienincks, the veterinarian said he was killed instantly and suffered no pain.

     Bubba was killed in his own yard, just ten feet from the house he shared with his loving family.  The proximity to the home adds an increased level of fear to the repugnant act.

     Was it an accident or intentional?  Geoff summed up the act by saying “it was sick, really sick.”

     Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marlborough Township Police department at (215) 234-9161.