Gilbert, the family dog of Minn. state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, had to be euthanized

[Botany]

Emily Hill, a family friend and the wife of Minnesota State Rep. Josiah Hill, who worked with Hortman, told PEOPLE that the tragedy has been “just awful” for the family and their local community. The news that the Hortman’s golden retriever Gilbert also needed to be euthanized after getting shot during the attack just makes things worse, she said during an interview over the phone this weekend.

“It’s just awful,” Hill said. “[Melissa] loved dogs and volunteered with dog rescues.”

Helping Paws, a local nonprofit in Eden Prairie, Minn., shared a photo on social media showing state Rep. Hortman sitting next to Gilbert on a doctor’s office bench while explaining the lawmaker’s role with the organization.

“Melissa served her community in more ways than one,” the nonprofit wrote on social media. “She was a Helping Paws Foster Home Trainer, a neighbor, and a friend. The Hortman family raised and trained Minnie, who is now a working service dog partnered with a veteran. They also helped raise and train Gilbert, a service dog in training who [eventually had a career change] and became a cherished member of their family.”

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Damn. The right wing hate machine all share in the blame.

https://people.com/minnesota-lawmakers-attack-family-dog-gilbert-also-killed-11755193

Link to tweet

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I am bawling here.