"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.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:44 PM EDT2013-06-18 00:44:29 GMT
South Philly neighborhood parents are so worried about cars speeding down their street while kids are at play that they installed their own speed bumps.
South Philly neighborhood parents are so worried about cars speeding down their street while kids are at play that they installed their own speed bumps.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-06-13 02:32:43 GMT
A man and a woman have been arrested for robbing homes of grieving families as they attended funerals. The two heartless suspects were caught during an unrelated traffic stop in Franklin Township.
A man and a woman have been arrested for robbing homes of grieving families as they attended funerals. The two heartless suspects were caught during an unrelated traffic stop in Franklin Township.
Friday, June 7 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-06-08 03:06:06 GMT
"The creek back here rises. Around here has real bad flooding but it hasn't flooded real bad in years so I hope it stays that way," said Michael Stephens. His neighborhood of Parker Manor in Chester was
"The creek back here rises. Around here has real bad flooding but it hasn't flooded real bad in years so I hope it stays that way," said Michael Stephens. His neighborhood of Parker Manor in Chester was
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:58:16 GMT
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:07:39 GMT
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:57:09 GMT
A former teacher in central Pennsylvania is charged with allowing a student to perform body piercings in class. The teacher at Northern York County High School resigned after the incident last April.
A former teacher in central Pennsylvania is charged with allowing a student to perform body piercings in class. The teacher at Northern York County High School resigned after the incident last April.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:26:08 GMT
Torrential rain and storms are moving across the region tonight. The heavy rain is causing flooding for some people out on the roads, particularly in South Jersey and Delaware.
Torrential rain and storms are moving across the region tonight. The heavy rain is causing flooding for some people out on the roads, particularly in South Jersey and Delaware.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:20:41 GMT
Bensalem Police have released a series of photos of the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in.It all happened on Monday when the suspect was observed trying to break into vehicle
Bensalem Police have released a series of photos of the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in.It all happened on Monday when the suspect was observed trying to break into vehicle
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:17:37 GMT
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:47 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:47:28 GMT
It was a crime that stunned a Montgomery County community--the murder of a baby and her grandmother. Now, the lawyer for 27-year-old Raghunandan Yandamuri says his client was "pressured" into confessing.
It was a crime that stunned a Montgomery County community--the murder of a baby and her grandmother. Now, the lawyer for 27-year-old Raghunandan Yandamuri says his client was "pressured" into confessing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:41 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:41:03 GMT
A man from Newark Delaware has been charged after he exposed himself to a woman while stopped at a red light. The incident happened on May 1 around 8:30 p.m.
A man from Newark Delaware has been charged after he exposed himself to a woman while stopped at a red light.