Dog's Decapitated Body Found Inside Plastic Bag Near Road, Canine's Head Missing

In a shocking incident, the mutilated body of a dog was found inside a plastic bag that was dumped on the side of a country road in Colorado. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance for information related to the incident.

Local resident Reese Dianato was on her way to a store Sunday when she spotted the bag on the roadside. She told KKTV 11 News that she was shocked when she noticed the decapitated body of the dog and immediately alerted the deputies. The dog was identified as a German Shepherd.

"I've never seen anything like this, never," Dianato told 11 News Reporter Spencer Wilson, adding that the animal had gunshot wounds.

The head of the dog was not found inside the bag, local radio station KRDO reported.

The sheriff's office said it is being treated as a criminal case and they still do not have any suspects.

Dianato said she was not only worried because of what happened to the animal, but this could happen to her neighbors as well.

"This is cruelty," Dianato told the reporter. "When I think that I can't see anything worse in the world...I am in shock and awe and sick to my gut."

The Sheriff's Office has urged the public to come forward and call (719) 520-7777 if they have information regarding what happened to the dog.

Last month in Utah, a man stole his ex-girlfriend's dog and set it on fire in an act of revenge. Trista Heywood filed a complaint with police after her 4-year-old Red Heeler, named Dixie, went missing. Police launched a search and found the canine in a field near the highway. The dog had suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a local veterinary hospital. Doctors said it had suffered second and third-degree burns.

Following an investigation, police found that Heywood's ex-boyfriend Michael Busico, 40, kidnapped the pet to get back at her. Heywood later revealed in a Facebook post that the dog had to be put down due to severe injuries.