A
Des Moines man is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly shot and killed an 11-year-old's dog while she was taking it for a walk.
According to court documents, the suspect was walking in a
suburban Des Moines neighborhood on Jan. 12 with his dog when he came across the girl and her boxer dog named Tyson.
The 11-year-old tripped and dropped the leash, and Tyson ran off toward the suspect's dog. She yelled for her dog to return and after a short time, he turned around and began walking toward his owner, according to court documents.
The child said her dog was running back to her when the suspect shot him.
The suspect then walked up to the girl and her limping dog and shot Tyson a second time, according to court documents.
"No dog should be treated that way and no child should ever have to watch their dog be killed at all, much less be killed in that way," said neighbor Alex Gramps.
A witness told police that the suspect appeared to boast about shooting the dog.
The suspect initially told police that Tyson attacked him, and then said that Tyson had attacked his dog, according to
court documents.
He later admitted to police that the dog did not attack him, and police and witnesses did not see any marks on the suspect's dog to indicate an attack.
He has been
charged with first-degree animal cruelty and reckless endangerment.
www.kiro7.com
