A missing dog that turned up dead near Oyster River was shot, and police are asking the public for help with the investigation, according to Campbell River Crime Stoppers.

A local resident was mountain biking on Nov. 25 at Smugglers Ridge, a bike trail that runs north of Oyster River, when their dog strayed from the path.

The pet B次元官网网址渨as off leash and uncharacteristically failed to return,B次元官网网址� according to Crime Stoppers.

Friends, family and local residents carried out an exhaustive search, but the dog remained missing until Nov. 27.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 when its body was found near the mouth of the river, a location B次元官网网址渇ar from where it had last been seen,B次元官网网址� Crime Stoppers said.

B次元官网网址淥n examination from a local veterinarian it was determined that the dog had been killed by a gun shot,B次元官网网址� according to the notice.

Campbell River RCMP are urging anyone with information to come forward to police or Crime Stoppers.

Members of the public can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or send tips through the groupB次元官网网址檚 .