Christine Wilker of St. Augustine was driving along A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach on April 1 when she came across a dog that had been shot in the head. Although the dog has since died, the local community has nonetheless rallied around him, seeking out answers and justice.
“As I passed, he raised his head and looked right at me,” wrote Wilker on the GoFundMe page she created in his honor. “I had assumed he had been hit by a car and was deceased. He was bleeding from his eye and nose and had a lump on his head.”
Wilker brought the dog, whom she had affectionately named Anchor, to an emergency veterinarian and then contacted S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue in St. Augustine in hopes of saving him. Upon examination, however, it was discovered that Anchor – who was estimated to be about 13 years old – had a bullet lodged in his brain, and it was decided that the best course of action would be to put him down.
Although she was unable to save Anchor’s life, Wilker has since made it her mission to identify his attacker and has enlisted the help of the greater community to do so. To keep the public informed of updates, a “Justice for Anchor” Facebook page has also been set up, encouraging those with information to contact (904) 293-6038. According to the GoFundMe page, funds raised will ideally go towards a reward fund.
“Someone knows something,” Wilker wrote. “In 13 years, someone knew this dog. If no one steps up with info on the perpetrator, then money will be donated to the rescue that tried hard to save his life.”
