MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — A West Michigan family is hoping for closure and justice more than a year after their two dogs were shot to death.
Donald Brown, 59, a neighbor, was charged with torturing and killing the Walker family pets, Ruger and Colt, after an investigation last year.
The animals weren't just pets to the Walkers, they were family.
"It's real hard," said Travis Walker. "It's not fair."
Travis describes Colt as the smartest dog he's ever known.
"He was awesome," he said.
He credits Ruger for saving his 17-year-old son's life after a serious injury.
"It's probably the only reason I can walk because of that dog," said Kameron Walker. "I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to do physical therapy, but I wanted to do stuff with my dog. He helped me out a lot."
The alleged shooting occurred on March 6, 2022 in Muskegon County.
Travis claims the two dogs, who weren't wearing their collars, were visiting his mother's house nearly a mile away when the pair then went over to Brown's property.
The family made the gruesome discoveries some time later.
"[Colt] was coming across the field dragging his back legs," said Travis. "Army crawling basically. We went to the middle of the field and met him. That's when we discovered somebody had shot him in the back and hind legs."
Kameron discovered Ruger in the woods 20 miles away.
"I looked down and he was in the base of the tree. Crying and pouting. There was blood everywhere," said Kameron.
Travis claims Brown told the judge the dogs were, in his words, "worrying" his animals, so he shot them.
"The state cop told us when he talked to him that he had no remorse," said Travis. "They're my kids. That's the way I treat an animal. Animals are here for us to love and to care for."
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to Edward Wasiura, Brown's attorney, who said he can't discuss the details of the case before trial but his client pleads not guilty and "the dogs were in his yard."
"If you're willing to commit a crime, ultimately that's what you're going to end up with. You're going do it now in this life or the next. You will pay for your crimes," said Travis.
Brown's non-jury trial was rescheduled from this week to mid-July.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.