Dog shot with shotgun
Leonardo, NJ (US)

Incident Date: Friday, May 31, 2002
County: Monmouth

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Paul Bedford

Paul Bedford, 31, will be charged June 25 with killing a neighbor's dog with a shotgun blast to the chest. He will be charged with animal cruelty.

Spike, the five year old black Laborador retriever, was euthanized at the Red Bank Veterinarian Hospital after suffering over 20 shotgun pellets in his body as a result of the blast to his chest.

Stuart Goldman of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals intends to file charges against Bedford for "needless shooting" of the animal.

SPCA Agent Abby Binder said a group of children witnessed the shooting of the dog. Police were called to investigate, but it is not certain whether they will charge Bedford with weapons or other offenses.

The dog's owners, Michael and Sharon Davis, also of Hamilton Avenue said they heard the blast. They thought it might have been a firecracker. It wasn't until their dog Spike returned home, plopped down in the kitchen floor and began gasping for air.

References

• Asbury Park NJ Press - June 25, 2002

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