A Wyoming family have been left heartbroken after their six-year-old Border Collie, Drover, dragged himself home with a gunshot wound and died the following morning. Nate Penn, who lives on a ranch in Fort Washakie with his family, said he believes the dog was shot with a .22-calibre rifle somewhere away from their property, though the circumstances remain unclear. The case matters as an example of the grief and unanswered questions that come with senseless harm to a family pet, with Penn saying he has no legal recourse since the shooting did not happen on his land.

Drover, described as a devoted herding and guard dog who was gentle with people, livestock and other animals, was found dead by Penn's wife on 6 September after being discovered chewing on rib bones the night before had masked the true cause. Closer inspection revealed a small entry and exit wound near his hindquarters, indicating a low-calibre bullet had passed straight through him. Penn said the well-groomed, collared dog could not have been mistaken for one of the area's free-roaming stray dogs, and while he has suspicions about who was responsible, he does not intend to name anyone or pursue the matter further. The family, including Penn's devastated children, have since buried Drover on the ranch.