Robert Schabel, charged with animal cruelty after shooting dog caught in leg hold trap in his yard

KENTUCKY -- A man has been arrested in Laurel County for animal abuse charges after killing a dog that was caught in a hunting trap set up in his yard.

According to the arrest warrant, Robert Schabel set up hunting traps in his yard and a dog was caught in one of the traps, a neighbor heard the dog howling in pain and went to see what was happening. Schabel came outside holding a rifle.

The neighbor told Schabel to release the dog and that she would take him to the vet. Schabel refused and shot the dog twice, killing it.

Schabel lives next to a day care and other residences. People in the community are concerned that him firing his rifle and placing traps in the yard puts the children, staff and neighbors in danger.

(LEX18 Lexington KY News - Dec 11, 2015)