Salma Hayek Reveals Heartbreak Over Beloved Dog That Suffered ‘Slow And Painful’ Death After Being Shot

Fans of Salma Hayek may have noticed that for over a week, she took a break from giving us a glimpse of her jet setting Hollywood life, and now the actress has revealed the heartbreaking news on Instagram Friday that she was mourning the death of her dog Mozart, who was fatally shot a week ago.

“I haven’t posted for a week as I been mourning the death of my dog, Mozart who I personally delivered out of his mother’s womb,” Hayek wrote.

“He was found dead in my ranch last Friday with a shot close to his heart. I am hoping that the Washington State authorities do justice to this wonderful dog whom in 9 years never bit or attacked anyone.” Adding, “He loved his territory and never strayed away… he was the most loving and loyal companion. He didn’t deserve a slow and painful death.”

While many have responded with kind words and sympathy, others have wondered why the animal lover’s beloved pet died “a slow and painful death.” Were there no caretakers on the land to come to the aid of the dog in a timely manner?

In her IG post, Salma expresses her fondness for her pets, many of which she adopted, PEOPLE reports.

“I have five horses, four alpacas, one cat, eight dogs, one hamster, five parrots, two fish, I’m sure I’m forgetting something!” Hayek said on the Ellen DeGeneres show in October 2013.

“You know this is like the Oscars you forgetting someone. Oh I forgot! I have bunny rabbits, I have turkeys, 20 chickens, same with the rabbits be careful just buy one.”

Salma’s Instagram is filled with adoring pics with her animals, including a photo of her cuddling one of the canine co-stars on the set of Drunk Parents earlier this month, per ET.

“I love dogs so much that I can’t resist cuddling with them – even when they’ve helped arrest me in the movie we’re shooting!” she captioned the pic, along with the hashtags “#love,” “#dogs” and “#cuddle.”

In addition to her animal rescue efforts, Hayek is highly active in raising awareness about violence against women and discrimination against immigrants. She also helps raise awareness and funds which allows UNICEF to provide tetanus vaccines to pregnant women.

“I have long been a supporter of every child’s right to health and happiness. As a new mother, I’m thrilled to help Pampers and UNICEF raise awareness of their initiative to provide tetanus vaccines to those at risk,” Salma says of the program.

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Hayek, who also advocates breastfeeding, nursed a desperate mother’s hungry baby during a fact-finding trip to Sierra Leone, Africa, in 2008. In 2013 Salma and Beyonce launched with Frida Giannini a Gucci campaign, “Chime For Change,” which aims to spread female empowerment. Last year, she and her husband were honored for their charity work with the organization.

“I think the most important thing to tell for the new generations is to have the courage to be unique, to be curious about who they are, instead of trying to blend in,” Hayek said at Variety’s Power of Women luncheon in Beverly Hills, California.

“The most important thing to say to the girls is to not try to be like the other girls. Not to try to fit in, but to try to really be profound thinkers that are excited about their differences and explore what they are and who they are and what can come out of the new.”

Her own charity, the Salma Hayek Foundation, “works with disadvantaged children on the streets of Mexico, helping them to overcome problems such as drugs, violence or lack of education.”

Hayek gave birth to her daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, in September 2007. She married her baby daddy, French billionaire and Kering CEO, François-Henri Pinault, on Valentine’s Day, 2009, in Paris. They had a second ceremony in Venice on April 25, 2009.

Salma began her career in Mexico starring in the telenovela Teresa, before moving to Hollywood in the early 90’s. She quickly rose to fame with roles in Desperado (1995), Dogma (1999), and Wild Wild West (1999).

Salma Hayek’s recent films include Grown Ups (2010), Puss in Boots (2011), Grown Ups 2 (2013), and Tale of Tales (2015).

[Images courtesy Anthony Harvey/Getty Images]