Washington

Shooting of Salma Hayek’s dog at Yelm ranch was justified, says sheriff’s office

By Andy Hobbs

ahobbs@theolympian.com
Mexican and American actress Salma Hayek poses for photographers as she arrives to her international premiere film "The Prophet," an animated feature film she co-produced, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 27, 2015. Hayek is in Lebanon for the film, written and directed by Roger Allers, the maker of the Disney production The Lion King. The film tells the story of a young girl who finds the voice she lost through her friendship with a poet imprisoned for his ideas. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Mexican and American actress Salma Hayek poses for photographers as she arrives to her international premiere film "The Prophet," an animated feature film she co-produced, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 27, 2015. Hayek is in Lebanon for the film, written and directed by Roger Allers, the maker of the Disney production The Lion King. The film tells the story of a young girl who finds the voice she lost through her friendship with a poet imprisoned for his ideas. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Hassan Ammar AP

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office will hold a press conference at 1:30 p.m. today at the State Capitol regarding a case in which actress Salma Hayek’s dog was shot to death at her ranch in Yelm.

The sheriff’s office reports that a neighbor shot the dog, but that no charges were filed because the shooting was determined to be justified. The case will be forwarded to the county prosecutor.

Stay tuned for more information.

According to a post Hayek’s Instagram account, the 9-year-old Belgian Malinois named Mozart was found dead on her ranch Feb. 19. The ranch is located off Fennel Road about 3.5 miles southeast of Lake Lawrence, property records show.

The sheriff’s office reports that a pellet from a pellet gun had nicked a pulmonary artery, causing fatal internal bleeding in the dog. The dog was one of two that had been following a caretaker around the property when the dogs took off running. Mozart didn’t return and was later discovered dead.

 

I haven't posted for a week as I been mourning the death of my dog, Mozart who I personally delivered out of his mother's womb. He was found dead in my ranch last Friday with a shot close to his heart. I am hoping that the Washington State authorities do justice to this wonderful dog whom in 9 years never bit or attacked anyone. He loved his territory and never strayed away...he was the most loving and loyal companion. He didn't deserve a slow and painful death. #doglover #animalrights #dog #dogoftheday #rip #delivery #washingtonstateauthorities Hace una semana que no pongo nada ya que he estado de duelo por la muerte de mi perro Mozart. De quién fui la partera, lo encontramos el viernes pasado con un tiro cerca del corazón. Espero que las autoridades del estado de Washington le hagan justicia a este extraordinario perro que durante 9 años nunca mordió o atacó a nadie, adoraba su territorio y nunca se escapó. Era el compañero más leal y no se merecía una muerte lenta y dolorosa. #muerte #perro #justiciaporlosanimales

A photo posted by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek) on

A nearby property owner told the sheriff’s office that he shot one of the dogs with a pellet gun, but was unaware that the dog had been struck because the dog kept running after he fired. The neighbor said Hayek’s dogs were in his garage fighting with his two German Shepherds.

Hayek is among the celebrity clientele at Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment, located on 80 acres off State Route 510. Ramtha is a 35,000-year-old warrior spirit that school founder JZ Knight claims to channel. Students say the school has helped them improve their lives.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Shooting of Salma Hayek’s dog at Yelm ranch was justified, says sheriff’s office."

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