Champ and Louie Echols
On Sunday June, 21st 2009, about 9pm Champ and Louie Echols were shot in the head and heart dead point blank range by shotgun and buck shot on our good neighbor’s property (Mr. Marty Young) on Jim Wimberly Road. We appreciate our sweet neighbor that came and got us after she heard the shots and found that our Champ was still alive for a short time having been shot in the head. Champ was an AKA Registered Redbone Coonhound and Louie was a Border Collie, both Dogs were well mannered, very friendly and never bothered anyone. Champ and Louie were two of our best friends. They were loved by all the neighbors, except one.
The assassination of our dogs was no accident. It was a deliberate, premeditated murder and beyond cruel. What kind of person would execute our two happy dogs in cold blood? Other than a sadistic Dog hater that already threatened our dogs more than once. My neighbors and family have our suspicions, but how do we prove it?
Why should the killer get away with this? What can we do?
Champ was destined to be a World Champion Coonhound as his father “Deacon Does It”. Champ was the most playful, friendliest dog you’d ever meet. He would bound up to say “hi”, get his ears scratched or head patted from anyone who stopped by. His long ears flapping and tongue hanging out riding in the back of the truck is a sight not to be forgotten. That nose was one that could sniff out anything be it a rabbit in the yard or dinner inside the house, his puppy sweet disposition will be severely missed.
Louie was the smartest dog our family has ever owned, it was just uncanny how he seemed to know things almost like he could understand you. He had this knowing gleam in his eye and you could always tell when he was happy by looking in his eyes. He was a bit skittish with people at first; he wasn’t as trusting as champ. Louie always made me feel safe if I was home or out walking alone, he was like a sentry just watching for trouble. They were brothers, always together playing, training, and running. They were a team sniffing around our property, chasing rabbits and raccoons, and guarding against any predator that would show up on our property. They would leave the wild ducks in peace in our pond and always welcomed all our friends and family that showed up unannounced.
They loved each other, they loved us and we most certainly loved them and will miss and remember them for the rest of our lives.
When they would play, they would wrestle and hug each other like this, so Scott buried them in the same way they played with each other. They really loved each other.
The local Sheriff’s department was called and Deputy Jones did make a report at the time of the incident. It was reported that Mrs. Marjorie Wimberly heard the shots, she had concern for her son’s dogs (because the son and family were out of town-they live down from her house), and she drove to where she heard the shots to find Champ shot in the head still alive. They were murdered on Mr. Marty Young’s property on Jim Wimberly Rd, he is a good neighbor and was very upset and had his suspicions to whom may have done it. I get the impression that he would be grateful to see the killer be brought to justice for he too has had his dogs and cats killed by gunshot and poison on and around his property.
ReplyDeleteThankfully the news organizations is printing the story...as we have been praying for support to motivate the local investigators to investigate it further.
I am so extremely sorry. This is the saddest story ever....even sadder than the movie old yeller. I can't imagine this happening to my dogs or any dogs. Dogs become part of the family. I hope justice is served and again I am so sorry. I mourn your loss, you're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI hope the local investigators feel an urgency to find out who murdered Champ and Louie. This will happen again if the person is not caught and punished for such a terrible crime. I am so sorry for your whole family. This is such a loss. I pray that a lead is found and that justice happens.
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