Lebanon dog fatally shot, leaving family devastated and confused
Dog Killed by Unknown Shooter in Lebanon; Family Urges Witnesses to Come Forward
LEBANON, Maine — A 2‑year‑old German shepherd named Kane was fatally shot by an unknown assailant on the morning of September 15, leaving the Wheeler family in the wooded outskirts of Lebanon devastated and the York County Sheriff’s Office in the middle of an investigation.
According to Ashley Wheeler, Kane had been outside the family’s Lower Middle Road home when she and her 7‑year‑old daughter were heading to the driveway. “The dog slipped outside and then a single gunshot rang out,” Wheeler told a phone interview on Monday. She said the sound of the gunshot was close enough to make a pit form in her stomach.
Wheeler immediately searched for the dog, calling out his name and whistling. “He has fantastic recall,” she said, but Kane didn’t answer. She later found him lying in a pile of leaves, blood on his face and mouth. Though wounded, Kane appeared alert enough to be loaded into the family SUV and taken to the nearest emergency vet in Scarborough, roughly an hour away.
By the time the veterinary team arrived, Kane had already died. An X‑ray later confirmed a single bullet had penetrated Kane’s eyebrow and exited the opposite side of his skull. No other injuries were noted.
“The thing is… everything’s fine in one minute, and literally in less than five, your entire world is just upside‑down,” Wheeler reflected. “He completed our family.”
The Wheeler family lives in a wooded area of Lebanon with no direct line of sight to neighboring homes. As a result, no neighbors have reported seeing a shooter or a suspect. The dog wore a visible collar with tags, yet no one has come forward with information.
The York County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday that it is conducting a full investigation. Under Maine law, shooting a domestic animal is classified as a class E crime, punishable by up to six months in prison or a $1,000 fine. Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 207‑324‑1113.
“We’re not just pets,” Wheeler said. “Kane completed our family.” She added that the dog had been well‑trained and friendly, and that anyone who knew him could attest to his good nature. “He was the best boy,” she said.
The loss has taken a toll on the entire household. While the wife and daughter are hardest hit, the husband and three sons are also grieving. Even the family’s older dog, Colt, who turned ten the day after Kane’s death, has shown signs of depression since losing his friend.
Wheeler’s request is simple: “Anyone that knew Kane always said how handsome, good and friendly he was. He was the best boy.” If you have any information that could help bring closure to the Wheelers, please call the York County Sheriff’s Office.
