Your story brought tears to my eyes! I to am an animal lover. As others have said you are an amazing person with a level head! I personally would go after the sherrif as well. If you can't file a law suit against the useless POS I would go after him when it is re-election time! My fiance and I don't have any kids, so our dogs are our kids. I honestly can't say what would happen if anyone hurt one of them. My dogs would never hurt anyone they might lick them raw but that would be about it... You have a vet's report saying where your dog was shot it clearly shows it wasn't a justified shooting. I would go over the sheriff's head as well. I would go to the state police for your area. I would also post photos of the guy, his car, his license plate etc everywhere with the story of what happened. Let all of the animal lovers in your area make his life hell! Best wishes with your outcome and no matter what there will be a void in your heart....