Sacramento responds after food truck mascot killed during burglary

The owner of Drewski’s Food Truck said Tuesday he’s received an outpouring of support after his dog and business mascot was shot dead during a burglary of his home Saturday night.

To Andrew Blaskovich, his 21/2-year-old blue Great Dane called Rex was irreplaceable. Rex, who was found dead with a wound to the chest, had been featured on television numerous times.

Several community members have offered him a new dog, Blaskovich said, but he isn’t quite ready to take one.

“I can’t replace Rex,” Blaskovich said. “I’m an animal lover, but you can’t just get another dog.”

Blaskovich said the Front Street Animal Shelter and the Sacramento Police Department are examining Rex’s body for clues.

Blaskovich has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the crime. He has set up a GoFundMe account that has raised $425 as of Tuesday afternoon.

The animal shelter has renamed a scheduled adoption drive to honor Rex, said Gina Knepp, the shelter manager.

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 5:01 PM.