The owner of a collie-mix who went home this week after being shot through the chest in a drive-by shooting on the East Mesa says he is grateful for the outpouring of support in his new community, and to the Doña Ana County Sheriff's deputies who continue to look for the suspect or suspects responsible.

Juan Figueroa, 28, recently moved to Las Cruces from Anthony with his wife and two sons, ages 5 and 2.

Sometime in the early morning hours of Oct. 15, 2012, an unknown person or persons drove by Figueroa's home and shot his dog Max, who was in the yard.

Figueroa said in the moments after learning Max had been shot, he knew he had to do what was right for his dog, but his finances would only allow him to do so much.

"We are just so thankful," Figueroa said. "Not only did the donations cover all of the vet bills, but there was money left over that will pay for his therapy."

According to Figueroa, Max needs four or five sessions of therapy to help restore full use of his front leg.

The family says now that their dog has been provided for, they hope any additional donations will go to Las Cruces Crime Stoppers so that a tip might lead to an arrest.

Max was shot in a series of random drive-by shootings that happened within a two- to three-mile area of the East Mesa of Bataan Memorial West between Brahman Road and Moongate Road. All incidents occurred between 10:45 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Oct. 14. Investigators say most of the shootings were done with a .22 caliber long rifle.

Investigators continue to follow leads from witnesses who say they saw and heard a suspicious vehicle in the area on Oct. 14, 2012. The vehicle is described as a small or compact car, white or light in color with a loud, modified muffler.

Anyone with information that could be helpful to investigators is asked to call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip via text message to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS.