A 69-year-old man has been arrested and accused of animal cruelty after he shot and killed his neighbor’s dog. The dog had reportedly defecated on his lawn.
Sgt. Janet Schaefer of the Sacramento Police Department said that Cataldo Cristiani was arrested after officers responded to a report that a dog had been shot and a man was seen walking away with a rifle. Upon arriving at Christiani’s residence, Schaefer said officers found a small deceased dog with a small wound in its side.
Officers determined that Cristiani had shot the dog with a BB gun when it entered his yard. Cristiani reports that he did not intend to kill the dog.
The incident is a result of a long-standing feud between the neighbors.
Cristiani was booked into Sacramento County jail on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.
“I’m crushed and devastated that someone could do that to my little dog,” said Midge’s owner, Louisa Minyard.