A Mississippi National Guardsman recently suffered the unimaginable when he learned of his dog's death after opening his mailbox.
He had spent six days looking for his missing dog.
According to his Facebook, Chad Stricker is a:
"43yr old Dad/Grandparent/Nurse Educator/Army Major"
Stricker is also currently a case manager for the Mississippi Army National Guard.
He lives on a 10 acre property in rural Pearl River County, Mississippi. On December 10, Chad posted photos with his dog, Ghost, as they went out searching for his other dog, Nymeria.
Two days later, Chad took to Facebook again to share that his missing dog had not only died but had been shot to death by a neighbor.
"I received a ziplock bag with Nymeria's collar and an anonymous typed note in my mailbox tonight that stated she had been shot and killed because she was in someone's trash on Sat night."
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The letter reads:
"I am sorry to inform you that your dog was shot and killed Saturday night while digging through my garbage. It did not suffer and I did not take pleasure in killing it. There is a county leash law which you should abide by so that I do not have to kill any more of your pets."
Chad's anger and grief was clear in his Facebook response to his neighbor's actions.
"I want you to know she was one of the sweetest dogs anywhere around and very loving. You, my friend, are a POS for one, not calling me to let me know, man to man, you shot my baby Sat night."
"You allowed myself and countless other people to waste their time looking for my baby who was already dead."
"Secondly, you never gave me a chance to correct the problem, you never came to me and told me my dog was tearing up your trash. The type of person I am, I would not only have picked it all up but would have made sure it didn't happen again."
"You made reference to a leash law and unfortunately she was off for a brief moment (I take responsibility for that). That gives you no right to shoot my dog without giving me a chance to make it right."
"It's sad to think I have a neighbor of your moral character living so close to me that would do this."
He went on to leave a final message for his dog's shooter in case they read his message.
"Do I hate you, no, I pity the person you are and those who have to tolerate you. Only thing you did right here was return her collar and let me know you had killed her."
"Ohhh and btw, I was only about a week away from having her 1 acre yard completed and fenced and she would never have gotten into your precious garbage again. To think Nymeria was worth less than garbage or a damn phone call."
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble could you please leave me another note in my mailbox (because obviously you're too much of a coward to call me) and tell me where her body is so that I can give her a proper burial or if you'd like just put her at the beginning of my road."
"I hope you feel good about your actions as they reflect the type of person you really are. I pray one day you come to realize what you have done and teach those in your household to be better."
People everywhere are appalled at his neighbor's behavior.
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Others offered up advice on what they would do if they were in his shoes.
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At the time of this article's writing, Chad is celebrating his birthday without his beloved Nymeria at his side.
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