Murdered lawmaker, her husband & dog lie in state, marking their unbreakable bond
The murder case of Democratic Leader and Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband highlighted that the gun culture in the US has stooped to a new low when the notorious murderer attacked their dog. Gilbert, present at the crime scene, was attacked by the assassins and incurred injuries that were incurable. He was finally put down with his family. And with that, Melissa and her dog became the first woman and nonhuman to lie in state at the Capitol in St. Paul. Homicides in the country have been on a rapid rise. Though the recent data suggest lower numbers compared to the past, however, the reality has shown no significant change.
The death of Gilbert, the golden retriever, highlights that animals are now also included in the country’s unsafe, government-supported gun culture. The tragic death of their beloved dog invited thousands outside the rotunda to pay their homage to the deceased canine. Reports mentioned that the remains of Gilbert were assembled in a golden urn kept on a pedestal between the caskets of the Hortman couple. By lying together in the rotunda, Gilbert became a shadow that would always follow Melissa and her husband, indicating an inherently pure connection between them. Even in the afterlife, as in this one, Melissa would have her companion right by her side — the same way he didn't leave her side during the fatal attack claiming her life.
After her, the canine was brutally attacked, and due to his incurable injuries, he was euthanized at a veterinary clinic in Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis. The surviving family members collectively decided to mercy-kill him after he got bruised, fatally. Their grief must be unimaginable at having to bury a loved one who died earlier than they should have. To add, they also had to make the timely decision for Gilbert's future — a process that must've turned their feet cold. The death and honor of lying in state came at the same time for both Melissa and Gilbert, further intensifying their pure connection. According to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, before Melissa, only 19 men received this honor upon their death, including the U.S. vice president, senators, governors, and war veterans.
America is currently the topmost nation among first-world countries to report the highest number of homicides in a year. However, the current data suggest a decrease, but the overall statistic is still soaring. There were reportedly 17 murders per week before and after the 2020 George Floyd incident. In 2024, the homicide rate returns to the levels of 2019, but it's still towering, with California reporting 1929 murders in 2023. In this case, the death of the dog got many emotional. Volunteers from the local animal shelters surrounded the Capitol to pay their tributes to Gilbert. A non-profit organisation, Helping Paws Inc., also stepped in and did a therapy session outside the venue to cheer the crowd gathered to mourn the death of the dog. With animals suffering the moral degradation of humanity, we need to rally for better laws to protect our pets.