Crime & Safety

Alameda Service Dog Killed In Oakland Freeway Shooting

Layla was a 4-year-old shepherd-pharaoh-hound mix.

OAKLAND, CA -- The San Leandro man who was injured on Interstate Highway 980 on Friday in a shooting that killed the dog he was traveling with said Sunday afternoon that the incident was a "total mystery."

The shooting was reported at 7:34 p.m. Friday near the eastbound freeway's intersection with Interstate 580.

The driver, David Freitag, who was in a silver Hyundai Sonata rental car, suffered lacerations from broken
glass, and the dog was struck on the shoulder by gunfire. The service dog that Freitag was returning to his friend was struck on the shoulder by gunfire.

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Nenita Kiser, the owner of the 4-year-old shepherd-pharaoh-hound mix named Layla, said Sunday morning the decision was made to end the dog's suffering as her prospects for recovery were not promising.

"I wish we had more time and money and resources," an emotional Kiser said in a phone interview Sunday. "It happened so fast."

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Kiser said the bill for the initial veterinary care was $5,000. Freitag, who routinely cared for the dog and was driving to Walnut Creek at the time of the shooting to meet Kiser, said Sunday afternoon that
he still had a bullet fragment in the right side of his neck, and was suffering from head and neck pain.

"It's still a total mystery why this happened," said Freitag, adding that he had no idea why anyone would target him in a shooting and that there was nothing to indicate that the incident was prompted by road rage.

"Every time I think of this, I think, 'Why me?' "Kiser, an Alameda resident, said that after her previous service
dog died last October, she fostered and then adopted Layla, who brought her considerable emotional support.

"She was the brightest spirit," Kiser said. "She gave love to everyone."

Freitag, who lives in San Leandro, described Layla as a "beautiful and energetic animal."

Layla was standing on the car console when bullets pierced the window.

"I found out from (Freitag) that she had taken a bullet for him," Kiser said. "He loved her. They had such a beautiful relationship."

A GoFundMe account for Layla was set up after the shooting. As of Sunday afternoon, it had raised $2,786. It can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/layla...

Police continue to investigate the shooting and search for suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP at (800) TELL-CHP.

--Bay City News/GoFundMe image

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