NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio -- Police are trying to track down the person responsible for killing a North Royalton family's pet basset hound with a BB gun.

With his big floppy ears and sleepy eyes, Cledus brought joy into his family's home, but when he started getting sick, veterinarians solved the mystery illness: The 4-year-old dog had thee BB pellets inside him.

Cledus' owner, Beverly, remembered her dog yelping in pain on June 12, the day she figures someone took aim at Cledus from the woods behind her home, near Lytle and Bennett roads.

Children visiting the animal clinic drew get-well cards for Cledus while he battled a series of infections, but Cledus' eyes swelled shut and he recently died.

Beverly and police believe juveniles are to blame.

North Royalton police Detective Dave Loeding said someone intentionally fired three separate shots at Cledus, hitting him in the hip, side and head.

Beverly says it's a reminder that BB guns are not toys and can be dangerous.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call North Royalton police at (440) 237-8686.

The person could be charged with animal cruelty, but it seems everyone involved with the case would just prefer the person to come forward.