'They were our babies': Family mourns loss of 2 pups after found shot in Cottonwood

A Verde Village family is demanding justice after their two miniature schnauzers were found shot dead this week near Thousand Trails RV Park in Cottonwood.

The family realized Monday that their two beloved dogs, Olivia and Popeye, had gone missing. Immediately, they began searching the area, printing out missing dog posters and calling all the nearest animal shelters.

Both were going to celebrate their 4th birthdays in August.

However, come Thursday, Alex Sanchez, the owner of the two dogs, told The Arizona Republic that the search ended when he received a heartbreaking phone call about his dogs that he never expected.

According to Sanchez, the man who called him said he came across the two dead dogs on Tuesday while out hiking near Thousand Trails in Cottonwood — just a day after the Sanchez family realized the dogs were missing. However, the man told Sanchez it wasn't until Thursday that he saw the missing dog posters and made the connection, which led him to call and alert the family.

Sanchez said he called animal control and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, which took over the investigation.

The Sheriff's Office said Friday that their deputies picked up the remains on Thursday, but said no suspects were identified yet, or a cause as to why the dogs had been shot.

"They were our babies," Sanchez said. "It's hard to understand how somebody can do that."

Sanchez said his wife and two children are devastated and now are on a search for answers.

Friday morning, his wife and son went around the neighborhood assessing neighbors' and businesses' video footage for any evidence of someone taking the dogs, Sanchez said.

"We're just trying to get information because nobody saw anything, nobody heard anything yet that we know of," Sanchez said.

Sanchez and his wife, Maria Castillo, are hoping to find answers about who did this and get justice for their dogs.

No suspects or leads have been announced by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff's Office at 928-771-3260.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sanchez family's 2 dogs found shot dead in Cottonwood