Tampa, Florida -- It's a horrific case of animal abuse: a dog was shot twice and then buried alive. Miraculously, the animal survived and now investigators want to find the people responsible.

"This is sick," says Animal Services Sgt. Pat Perry. "Someone took this dog, buried it up to its neck, shot it twice in the head, and then left it to die."

The mixed-breed puppy has been named Phoebe by her rescuers. An anonymous caller told police they heard three gunshots in the area Clair-Mel. Animal Control officers and police went out to the scene, where they found the dog buried.

Photo Gallery: Dog buried up to its neck, shot twice

"This is a sick person or persons that did this," says Sgt. Perry. "And if they did this to a dog, they'll do it to another dog, a cat, a child, a person, a friend... and they need to be stopped."

The big question is: why would somebody do this?  Apparently the answer may not be as simple as animal abuse. This could possibly be a message to Animal Control from people who live in the Clair-Mel area.

Officers have been very aggressive in the area, and removing dogs that have been abused. They think this could be a message to them to stay out... but officers have no plans to back down.

They ask that anyone who may have tips on who was behind this heinous act to call police.

Donations to The Phoebe Fund may be made to the 501c3 non-profit organization Friends of Hillsborough County Animal Services or Friends of HCAS at P.O. Box 2191 Seffner, Florida 33583 or www.friendsofHCAS.org. PAYPAL is available.

---

You May Also Like...

Bikini Photos: 2012 Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant

Monkey off our backs: "Mystery Monkey" finally captured!

Sex Offender Search: Look up Florida Sex Offenders here

Lovely Angels: 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show pictures

Yowtch! Teen accidentally shoots off his penis, testicle

PHOTOS: NFL Cheerleaders

Cheerleader sex: Former Ben-Gal pleads guilty to sex with teen

Unwelcome house guests: Coyotes move into abandoned mansion

PHOTOS: George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin crime scene pics

Not just a game? Man murdered for Magic: The Gathering cards

Yearbook mug shot: Teen who posed in racy yearbook photos busted for underage drinking

Bikinis, mud, trucks: The Redneck Yacht Club

Photos: Ex-Charlie Sheen Goddess Bree Olson

Naughty Schoolgirls: Naughty schoolgirl night at Tampa club pictures

Sting: 31 pimps and prostitutes arrested (with pics)

Outrageous mug shot galleries...

Strange: Some of the most unusual mug shots we've seen

Notorious Women: Bad girls behind bars

Teachers: Teacher arrest mugshots

Jaw droppers: Open mouth mug shots

Smilers: Happy mug shots

Laughers: What's so funny mug shots

Prostitutes: Prostitute mug shots

Athletes: Professional athlete mug shots 

Porn arrests: Child porn arrest mug shots 

Local Mugs: Hillsborough County Mug shots

More unusual mug shots and galleries: 10 News slideshows and galleries