SHELBURNE FALLS — Eddie’s Wheels owners Ed and Leslie Grinnell are still seeking answers to what happened to their dog, Scout, who disappeared from their yard on April 2 and was found dead on a Deerfield River bank two days later.
Meanwhile, an outraged public has raised roughly $3,000 more to go with the $1,000 reward offered by the Grinnells for information leading to whomever is responsible for taking the dog and/or causing its death.
The extra money was raised over social media by Lovey Loaves, a special needs animal rescue and animal sanctuary in Orlando, Fla. Scout, whose back legs were paralyzed, was one of their rescue dogs before he was adopted by the Grinnells.
Cheri Wells, the sanctuary’s executive director, took care of Scout for two years until he was adopted.
“He was so cared about,” Wells said. “He was in my home and was one of my fosters. I think whoever did this hurt a lot of people — not just Ed and Leslie. He was such a part of who we are, as a rescue sanctuary. We really need closure.”
Eddie’s Wheels makes fitted carts as “wheelchairs” for dogs and other animals that can’t walk on all four legs. Scout, a disabled dachshund, was equipped with an Eddie’s Wheels cart before the Grinnells adopted him.
In his time with Eddie’s Wheels, he greeted customers and was a model for dogs learning how to use their new carts. “He liked everybody and everything,” Grinnell said.
“Scout always spent his mornings in our yard,” said Ed Grinnell. “A truck stopped at the side of the road. Somebody grabbed the dog. We were all busy with customers. I filed a detailed police report, but it’s still under investigation.”
After the dog’s body was found on rocks about a half-mile from the Grinnell’s home, X-rays indicated that someone had fed the dog between the time of disappearance and his death.
Anyone with information is asked to call either Grinnell at 413-834-2951 or leave a message for Buckland Police Sgt. Kurt Gillmore at 413-625-8200.