EDITORIAL: Justice closer after dog act

- 'The lucky dog' living life high in retirement

POLICE have uncovered new evidence they believe will solve a disturbing cold case burglary during which guard dog Lilly was shot in the head at a Wodonga business.

DNA technology could hold the key.

Supagas owners Ian McKay and his then wife Janette McKay arrived for work in Kane Road at 6.45am on July 7, 2010, to find their doberman-rottweiler cross bleeding and whimpering at the front gate.

A bullet had broken into fragments in her skull.

But all the thieves got away with amounted to just $800 in cutting tools and cash.

Now police want help.

Wodonga Detective Sgt Graeme Simpfendorfer has continued to revisit the case over the past four years.

He believes he has a breakthrough.

Sgt Simpfendorfer said the casing of the bullet used could yield crucial evidence and the unique ammunition packaging could lead police straight to their suspects, using DNA.

“We have forensic evidence now that matches the fragments from Lilly’s skull to a shell casing,” he said.

“It will help with identifying the person or persons responsible.”

Ian McKay can’t forget the scene in 2010.

“All of Lilly’s face was cut and the skin was off it and we thought someone had hit her with an iron bar,” Mr McKay said.

While Mrs McKay cradled Lilly, Mr McKay found the back gate had been cut open and a side window forced.

It wasn’t until a Melrose Animal Hospital veterinarian treated Lilly that the McKays and police realised someone had been there with a gun.

“You can’t imagine why someone would take a gun to steal crappy tools,” Mr McKay said.

Sgt Simpfendorfer said the crime was planned and the burglars knew exactly what they were after with the oxyacetylene cutting kit stolen, he believed, to use for other crimes.

Police had spoken to some suspects.

Anyone with information can phone Wodonga police anonymously on (02) 6049 2600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.