A Yorkshire Terrier has been put down after being hit by a large package that was tossed over a fence by a FedEx delivery driver.
The four-pound dog, named Cooper, had to be euthanised at the weekend after suffering horrific injuries to her lungs and liver.
Her owners, Keiko Napier and Mitchell Galin from Venice, California, told US news channel CBS2 that they found their beloved family dog lying in a pool of blood in the yard after being crushed by the large package.
According to the couple, Cooper was sunning herself in the backyard when a FedEx employee launched the package over the fence, which landed directly on top of the dog, crushing her.
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The distraught couple immediately rushed their dog to a nearby vet, where they were told that the dog's liver and lungs has been severely injured by the falling package.
The couple sadly decided to have Cooper put down the next day after discovering the extent of her injuries, and are now urging FedEx to take action to prevent drivers from taking shortcuts with deliveries.
Ms Napier said: "The package was so heavy, should it have struck one of us, it would've caused damage - very very severe damage," adding that their grandchild often plays outside.
She continued: "I feel they need to say they're going to institute a corporate-wide mandate that drivers cannot throw packages; that's what I want to hear. I don't want to hear we'll look into it."
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FedEx has said it will be looking into the incident.
In a statement, a FedEx spokesperson said: "We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the pet involved in this incident.
"We take this matter very seriously and are working directly with those involved to determine the circumstances behind this event. Based on the outcome of our investigation, we will take the appropriate action."
Delivery drivers and controversy aren't exactly strange bedfellows - earlier this year, a Pennsylvania man was left angry and hungry after ordering spare ribs from a takeaway and finding the driver had only left him with a few ribs spare.
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Having ordered two boxes of six ribs from a Dickey's Barbecue restaurant in West Manchester Township, Chris Payton found that one of the portions was missing two ribs and appeared to have been chewed on, while his chips were 'pretty much gone'.
He was confident the delivery driver must have been to blame, commenting: "I guess she just pulls over to the side of the road and just decides to have herself a little snack before she delivers.
"It's just crazy. I don't understand people why they would do something like that."
Featured Image Credit: KCAL9