According to Capt. T. Mike Dixon, a spokesman for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 in the 1000 block of St. Thomas Road.
Deputies met with the dog’s owner, who said his neighbor, identified as William Brown, shot the family pet – Donte.
The dog’s owner said his three-year old was playing in the backyard with Donte just minutes earlier. The owner said he heard gunshots and saw Donte at his backdoor. The dog was bleeding from its face.
The owner walked out into his fenced-in yard and found Brown, on his property, holding a pistol. Brown allegedly pointed the gun at Donte’s owner, at which point the man went back inside the house and called police. Brown ran off while this happened.
Deputies found Brown driving a vehicle near the area and stopped him. Investigators found a loaded handgun in Brown’s possession and a loaded rifle in the vehicle.
When asked why he shot the dog, investigators said Brown made unusual statements indicating he was working for the FBI and had been ordered to do so. Deputies said Brown does not work for the FBI.
Brown was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and misdemeanor aggravated assault. He remains in custody at Madison County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Donte was rushed to an emergency animal clinic but he had to be euthanized due to the severity of his injuries.
(Fox2 - July 29, 2016)
