CONNEAUT, Ohio -- An Ashtabula County family is seeking the public's help to find the person who killed their dog.

The Labradore retriever named Bronco had become an important part of the Dale family since they welcomed him into their Conneaut home two years ago.

Amanda Dale says, "He was always the first person to greet you when you came to the door, as soon as I got home from college, he would be there right there at my side so excited to see me."

But the family's beloved Bronco was shot and killed last week while playing in a neighbor's yard on Dorman Road in Conneaut.

The shot was fired from a passing car that sped away.

The shooting was witnessed by 7-year-old Hunter Dale, who ran and told his parents Bronco was hurt.

Hunter's mother Dawn says, "I immediately ran over to see if he was still alive, you know if we could call a vet or anything and he was gone already and I just laid next to him and just put my head against his."

Her daughter Amanda says, "My heart was broken, I cried like I had lost a family member, even for a couple of days, I just kept crying."

The family buried Bronco next to their home, and adorned the grave with items that remind them of the good times they shared with the dog.

But they cannot erase the awful memory of how he died.

Amanda Gale says, "I think it's disgusting, I just don't understand, I don't understand what kind of heart you would have to have to murder an animal."

The family is now offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of Bronco's killer. Anyone who can help them is asked to call Conneaut Police (440)593-7440.