Police: Richard McAllister, 72, didn't want his dogs any longer so he shot all four of htem and dumped their bodies into the trash

GEORGIA -- Richard L. McAllister, 72, was charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, according to Fayette County Jail records.

The incident was reported on Jan. 20 when a call was made concerning the deaths of four dogs at a residence on Brander Pass, according to police reports. That’s off Blue Smoke Trail, just west of Lake Kedron in north Peachtree City.

A police report says that McAllister told police he shot his animals on Jan. 19 because he said he couldn’t care for them or find any other way to get rid of them.

Reports said the investigation led to search warrants being obtained and executed. Officers at the residence located the bodies of the four dogs in a back yard dumpster, according to reports.

McAllister subsequently admitted shooting the dogs in the head and putting them in the dumpster, reports said.

Fayette County Animal Control Director Rani Rathburn tells WGCL-TV that even though animal shelters are frequently full, there are always alternatives.

Police say you can only put an animal down if it’s a threat to you or your livestock.

(WJBF-TV - Jan 28, 2016)