New Jersey family says 7-pound poodle was shot in head

MAPLE SHADE, New Jersey -- At 72 years old you're supposed to enjoy life, but right now Bob Cook is in mourning.

His best buddy Toby, a 7-pound poodle, snuck out below his fence Tuesday.

"He was my buddy and we did everything together," Cook said.

His granddaughter Marissa says the pup likely went on his routine walking route after getting out.

"He knows the area. He actually stays on the sidewalk because he's used to a leash," Marissa Cook said.

Then they heard the last sound the dog would make.

"He was screeching. He was screeching," Bob Cook said.

They found him less than 100 yards away and rushed him to the animal hospital thinking he was hit by a car.

But that wasn't the case.

The veterinarian found a bullet lodged in his head.

"To do this to an animal that is so adorable and never hurt anyone, for you to shoot that bullet you need help," Bob Cook said.

The family says there's a witness, but at this point, they don't know where the bullet came from.

According to the witness, no cars were coming.

Now, they think it was fired from someone in the neighborhood.

The Maple Shade police have launched an investigation and the Cooks are hopeful they find out who did it, but say an arrest won't bring Toby back.

That nothing can replace such a happy part of their family.

"I said we won't get Toby back but I can't imagine this happening to another family," Marissa Cook said.

"It is not going to make things, life, happy for quite a while," Bob Cook said.

Toby was also a part therapy dog for Bob Cook who served our country in Vietnam.