The dog found shot in upstate New York has died. Brooke McDonalds says Duke lost his battle last night. "He died comforted by his family and is now in Heaven with his beloved kitty sister Maggie."

Brooke says her boyfriend found Duke convulsing, incoherent, bleeding, and in a state of shock on January 29th in Carthage, New York. They initially suspected Duke was run over by a car when he was let out to go to the bathroom. When they took him to the vet, they discovered Duke had been shot.

"We never in a million years thought someone would try to murder/shoot our sweet baby and leave him for dead. We know who did this to our precious fur baby, and have determined that this was nothing more than a hate crime against Pit bulls.”

Brooke is thankful for the support and prayers her family received for Duke. "We will now push harder for his shooter to be charged and prosecuted to the maximum degree. We've rescued a lot of dogs in our lifetime, but Duke held a special place in our hearts and he always will. 7 years wasn't enough, but it was the best years of my life."

Brooke had started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Duke's surgery. "The money with solely be used for the very costly medical bills," she says. "We will be having him cremated so he'll always be in our home."

If Brooke could take one thing from this tragedy she says it would be for everyone to remember Duke as the friendliest pitbull. "Never judge a dog by it's breed. Duke was full of nothing but love. He was around plenty of children, and even shared a food bowl with the family cat. His shooter will be charged and prosecuted, no matter what I have to go through. #JusticeForDuke"

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