Police in Washington state said no charges will be laid in the shooting death of a dog owned by actress Salma Hayek.
Hayek, who has a ranch just south of Yelm, WA where she keeps a number of animals, including the now deceased Belgian Malinois named Mozart. It was on Feb. 19 when Hayek’s property caretaker, Kelly Littlejohn, contacted the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office to report the death.
Littlejohn was horseback riding with some of the dogs, including Mozart, when the pooches took off toward the sounds of other barking dogs. She rounded up the dogs, but not Mozart, only to find him later dead on a trail.
“A necropsy was conducted on Mozart at the request of Mrs. Hayek. It was conducted at a Yelm Veterinary Clinic. It was determined that a .177 cal. lead pellet was found to have traveled between two ribs and then nicked a pulmonary artery causing Mozart to internally bleed out,” police said Monday.
Police said they spoke with one of Hayek’s neighbours on Sunday who said he found two dogs in his garage fighting with his own dogs. He admitted to firing an air rifle at one of the dogs, but didn’t realize he hit anything because the dogs ran off.
“At this time we do not see any criminal violation,” Sheriff John Snaza told reporters. “We believe that the homeowner was only protecting his animals and not trying to purposely kill or maim a dog.”
Hayek only posted to Instagram on Friday to share the news of the death. She was clearly devastated by the loss.
“I haven’t posted for a week as I been mourning the death of my dog, Mozart who I personally delivered out of his mother’s womb. He was found dead in my ranch last Friday with a shot close to his heart. I am hoping that the Washington State authorities do justice to this wonderful dog whom in 9 years never bit or attacked anyone. He loved his territory and never strayed away…he was the most loving and loyal companion. He didn’t deserve a slow and painful death. #doglover #animalrights #dog #dogoftheday #rip #delivery #washingtonstateauthorities.”
Hayek, who has an animal sanctuary, has everything from dogs and cats to alpacas. Many of her animals have been rescue animals.
Meet Baldo, the newest member of the rescue family. #cat #rescue #love
A photo posted by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek) on
My favorite old lady. She is over 100 in dog years and still gorgeous.
A photo posted by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek) on
h/t The Associated Press Photos Salma Hayek/Instagram