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.”

*******

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.

[kwolf68]

1. Next post?

Mike Lee with a X post laughing about Old Yeller.

[oasis]

6. Mike Lee will never hear the end of his stupid remark.

[tulipsandroses]

2. Has Krusty Gnome issued a statement?? I expect her to say " What's the big deal"

RIP Gilbert.

[Abolishinist]

3. No doubt.

It's impossible for me to rank the fRump suckers from bad to worse, because they're all bad. But she's certainly in my top five.

[efhmc]

4. Evil people are bad to the bone.

[MustLoveBeagles]

5. Poor Gilbert

[montanacowboy]

7. What a sweet boi

so sad, so sorry for this family. If there is an after life I hope they are all together.

[FirstLight]

8. What guts me is those poor kids 😭

They lost both parents and their doggo 🥺😭

[hlthe2b]

9. Beautiful sweet dog. Definitely a compounded tragedy.

[radical noodle]

10. Compounding the heartbreak

Animals can be such a comfort to people in grief, particularly to kids. Now they don't even have that.

[dflprincess]

11. Melissa & Mark had successfully trained other service dogs

but apparently it wasn't in Gilbert's skill set.

But he loved and was loved.

[Botany]

14. Gilbert's skill set was that of being a good boy and a member of the family.

I have no doubt that Gilbert’s skill set also included coming to the aid of his humans
during their last minutes of life.

Gilbert looks like the Golden I had from 11 to 23. My mom was walking him once and he
refused to let her walk down a street at night and the next day we found out that a home
in that area was being burglarized @ that time.

[BigmanPigman]

12. The murderer is lucky I won't be on HIS jury.

Last edited Tue Jun 17, 2025, 12:11 AM - Edit history (1)

I was called to jury duty and while I was waiting and waiting I was paying my bills, going through my mail that I brought with me. I always donate money to animal rights groups, shelters, etc. When I heard the case was about 3 people abusing dogs I got VERY angry. When the judge asked if I could be fair and impartial I told him, "NO". He asked why and I told him I was already against them and I was sent home.

[democrank]

13. What an awful, hate-sponsored tragedy.

He immense loss of good people and sweet Gilbert makes me cry.

[bluboid]

15. sending much love for Gilbert & his family's loss...

[Raine]

16. So sad ... even the dog didn't escape the madness 🐶 😪 💔

R-I-P Gilbert