Dog shot in the head Whitesburg, TN (US) Incident Date: Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 County: Hamblen Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 10070 Classification: Shooting Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in TN (US) Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior Login to Watch this Case

An east Hamblen County man who allegedly used extraordinarily lethal means to silence his yapping Jack Russell terrier was arrested on Sept 5, but that was just the beginning of his legal problems, according to authorities.

James H. Barnard, 58, allegedly admitted he shot his pet in the back of the head because the male dog was barking at coyotes near his Whitesburg home, according to Hamblen County Sheriff Esco Jarnagin.

Chris Collins, an animal control officer with the Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society, says the dog's injuries were far more extensive.

Collins says the dog had been stabbed four times. One of the cutting wounds virtually severed the dog's head. Collins charged Barnard with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony offense.

"The (animal-cruelty) laws will be enforced and charges will be placed accordingly," Jarnagin said this morning. "Historically, the findings are that people who are cruel to animals are also cruel to their fellow human beings. The investigation is continuing."

Court records indicate the sheriff's suspicions are well founded. In 1991, Barnard was convicted of aggravated assault. Barnard's actions after he was taken into custody also support Jarnagin's theory.

While en route to the Hamblen County Jail from his North Moore Road residence, the defendant allegedly kicked the rear windows from Deputy Eddie Hefner's cruiser.

Realizing that Barnard, who reportedly weighs more than 300 pounds, could present further problems, Hefner called for backup, and deputies Lucas Sizemore and Frank Goble met Hefner at the jail.

Barnard allegedly became combative when he was freed from the handcuffs, and deputies tried to shock him into submission with a Taser, which delivers a strong electrical charge.

The Taser had little effect on Barnard. He reportedly plucked the metal prongs from his chest and continued to fight. He allegedly bloodied Sizemore's nose and struck Goble in the left eye.

Authorities also charged Barnard with two counts of assault on an officer and destruction of county property. This morning, he remained in jail in lieu of $22,000 bond.

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References

Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society

« TN State Animal Cruelty Map

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