Dog Stanley killed in alleged armed robbery at Pappinbarra near Wauchope

The owner of a dog shot in the head and killed during an alleged armed robbery on the Mid-North Coast has spoken of her heartbreak and shock.

The owner of a dog shot in the head and killed during an alleged armed robbery has spoken of the heartbreak and shock of losing her “best friend”.

Stanley, the bulldog cross bull-mastiff, was killed in the early hours of Sunday, October 9, in what police allege was an attempted armed robbery.

Police say several people, who were asleep at the home on Pappinbarra Rd at Lower Pappinbarra west of Wauchope, were woken by a gunshot.

When a woman went to investigate she was allegedly threatened by an unknown masked man, armed with a shotgun, who continued to threaten her before discharging a further round and fleeing the scene.

Police investigations are ongoing as part of Strike Force Gentian established in the days after the alleged incident and no arrests have been made.

Police released CCTV of a vehicle spotted around the time of the incident at a rural property on Pappinbarra Road, Lower Pappinbarra.

“More than just a dog, he was my best friend”

During the incident Stanley was shot in the head and killed, leaving his owner Kaitlyn Smith devastated.

Ms Smith has lived in Wauchope for the past 15 years and picked Stanley from a litter born in May 2021.

“I had chosen Stanley on day three of him being born – I took him straight into my arms and fell in love,” she said.

“He stayed by my side every day from that moment on.”

Kaitlyn Smith with Stanley.

She said his companionship helped her through many tough times and he enjoyed walks on the beach and playing with other dogs.

“Stanley was more than just a dog to me, he was my best friend,” Ms Smith said.

“He was the most loyal, supportive, trusting and most of all goofy and happy fur baby I could ever have asked for.

“The whole year and five months that I had Stanley, he had many amazing journeys and met a lot of people and other fur babies who adored and loved him.”

Kaitlyn Smith is devastated at the loss of her dog Stanley during an attempted armed robbery at Pappinbarra.

“Never felt so much heartbreak and disbelief“

Ms Smith said she was not with Stanley at the rural property at Lower Pappinbarra when the alleged incident occurred.

He was there with her ex-partner

“Stanley and my ex were inside with the owners of the property sleeping,” she said.

“My ex partner was woken by a gunshot being let off – two other people exited the house and were approached by a masked armed man.

“Then a woman went to investigate and she was allegedly threatened by a masked man with a gun and from what I know there were more threats and more shots let off with one of them resulting in Stanley’s death, by gun wound to the head.”

Kaitlyn Smith is devastated at the loss of her dog Stanley during an attempted armed robbery at Pappinbarra.

The alleged incident occurred around 6am and it was a few hours later when Ms Smith heard the shocking news.

“I was woken at around 8.30am from a call from a friend with the worst news ever,” she said.

“I have never felt so much heartbreak but also disbelief that this could have happened to my boy.

“I was expecting him home that morning, it honestly feels like a nightmare that’s not ending.”

She says the shocking nature of his death had impacted many people in the community as he was well known in the area.

The State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad are continuing their investigations under Strike Force Gentian and urge anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.