A dog in Wilmington, Delaware, has been killed in a hit-and-run incident, reports The News Journal. The pup’s owner, Jane Pierantozzi, founder of the New Castle-based shelter Faithful Friends Animal Society, was walking her pet when a vehicle struck them. Pierantozzi suffered injuries, following which she was taken to a hospital.
Car sped off after hitting dog and owner
According to the Wilmington Police Department, the vehicle sped off after hitting Pierantozzi and her dog. Authorities believe the car is a tan minivan or full-sized SUV. They have yet to identify the vehicle and the driver.
“Our entire organization is shocked and very saddened with the news of Jane’s injury and the loss of Emma’s life,” Bob Wasserbach, president of the Faithful Friends board of directors, said. He also expressed gratitude to the company’s “strong and competent team who have banded together to continue our lifesaving work as Jane recovers.”
In an interview with ABC affiliate WPVI News, one of Pierantozzi’s colleagues said, “She’s in good spirits. She is very upset by the loss of her dog Emma, who was really part of the Faithful Friends family.”
Faithful Friends’ mission and objective
Pierantozzi founded Faithful Friends back in 2001 along with a group of passionate animal lovers in Delaware. The shelter follows a no kill policy and focuses on enhancing the welfare of animals. The organization’s mission is “to end the neglect, abandonment and killing of pets in Delaware” through services like pet advocacy, adoption programs, and more.
During a recent interaction with Delaware Live, Pierantozzie said shelters in Delaware had a kill rate of 90% in 2001. However, today, it is “one of just three no-kill states in the country.”
She also added that the organization aims to save more animals in the next few years after recently moving its headquarters from Wilmington to New Castle.
“We hope that the lifesaving will increase by 25% in two years because of the new location,” Pierantozzie said. “And hopefully a 50% increase in four years.”
