Officers blocked off a section of Rosehill St. at Holly Ave. for several hours over the weekend after a dog was shot and seriously injured. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

investigation continues

Police target white SUV seen fleeing scene of Nanaimo dog shooting

Sep 30, 2025 | 12:57 PM

NANAIMO — Police are trying to locate a white SUV, and two people, seen fleeing the scene of a weekend shooting which seriously injured a dog.

The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 near the Rosehill St./Holly Ave. intersection in central Nanaimo, and involved a large, mixed breed dog being shot.

After initially saying the dog was found dead on scene, RCMP now state the dog was taken for emergency surgery and is recovering at home.

“It appears there was a heated argument between parties involved and based on evidence that our investigators have gathered, the parties are known to each other,” Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

(Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The focus of the police investigation are the people seen driving away after the shooting.

O’Brien said they’re hoping the public can help connect a few dots.

“We’re asking them to check home surveillance systems and dash cam videos between 9;15 a.m. and 9:55 a.m. We know for a fact that the individual was seen fleeing the area getting into a white SUV.”

O’Brien wouldn’t elaborate on the connection between the two sides, and why the fact the parties being known to each other wasn’t leading to an easier identification.

“There’s a lot of moving parts on this, but what we’re prepared to say is we believe the parties are known to each other and we hope the public will assist in moving forward with the investigation.”

Investigators had the area around the incident closed for several hours to collect evidence Saturday.

Police are continuing their investigation into the weekend shooting, which sent a large dog to an emergency vet. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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