Melody Barton told WJAC-TV Monday that she heard gunshots in the woods behind the family’s Liberty Township home, before her husband found 4-year-old Riley covered in blood.

During surgery at Metzger Animal Hospital near State College, veterinarians removed more than 50 lead bird shot pieces from the dog’s shoulder, ears and face.

“This is just cruelty to our dog, who never did anything to anybody,” said Barton. “They need to be prosecuted because this should not happen to any other dog. We should not have to sit here and watch our dog moan in pain.”

Barton said a state trooper found a trail of blood leading through the woods, back to a group of homes on a private road.

“I’m scared because my 3-year-old son runs around in the backyard,” said Barton. “If there’s some crazy person, they’re a coward to shoot a dog."

Anyone with information on the weekend shooting is urged to call state police at Rockview at 814-355-7545.