A Bristol man was arrested Saturday after investigators determined that he had shot and killed his own dog, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.

Shawn Wilkie, 41, of Old County Road was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, Lt. Michael Murphy said in a news release. Wilkie was taken to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset and was later released on bail.

Deputies were called to Wilkie’s home around 5:55 p.m. to investigate the report of a dog having been shot. Upon their arrival, they found a dead dog – Wilkie’s 6-month-old fox terrier – which had been tethered outside the home.

Wilkie initially told police he had heard two gunshots and the dog yelp, and he went outside to find that his dog had been shot, according to Murphy.

The dead dog was taken to Midcoast Animal Hospital. An examination of the dog’s body found it had been killed by a .177-caliber pellet, which caused internal bleeding.

After being questioned, Wilkie revealed he owned a .177-caliber pellet rifle. Wilkie later claimed that he accidentally shot the dog while trying to kill a chipmunk.

The case is under review by the District Attorney’s Office to determine if Wilkie should be charged with making a false public report, Murphy said.


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