The Humane Society of Durham Region is investigating after a family came home last week to find their dog dead hanging from her collar.

The dog's owner - Bob Heurkens - claims they put out 4-year-old Heidi, a miniature Schnauzer, into the back yard while he left the house in Orono to pick up his wife.

When he returned he found Heidi dead, strung up from a chain.  Heurkens says he attempted CPR on his dog to no avail.

Another dog in the backyard was unharmed.

Officials believe Heidi was killed intentionally and are inevstigating to find out exactly what happened.