Mass. man accused of shooting neighbor's dog with arrow

EAST BROOKFIELD, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - An Oakham man is facing charges after allegedly shooting a neighbor's dog with an arrow.

Byron Carpenter has been charged with maiming an animal, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a residence, and causing property damage with a hunting weapon. He was ordered by a judge to surrender all of his hunting equipment and his hunting license.

Authorities say the 36-year-old Carpenter shot his neighbor's border collie-Labrador mix dog on Oct. 23 in a wooded area. The dog was shot in the front leg and is recovering.

"The doorstep, there was a big puddle of blood and when I looked around I saw him laying over here," said Charl Van Schoick, the dog's owner. "And just as I looked I saw a squirt come out of his shoulder and of course you go into panic mode."

Van Schoick said his first thought was stopping Oboe, the four-year old rescue dog from bleeding out.

"It cut through the artery that went down through. Nerves. Muscle and other blood supply."

Van Schoick used binder clips to clamp an artery for the hour long drive to Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine.

"We had no idea what had happened at that point," he said. "But we followed the blood trail and that's where we found the arrow."

Carpenter says he shot what he thought was a coyote coming after him in the darkness. Police allege Carpenter was sick of hearing the dog bark. He is free on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty.

Carpenter had no comment when approached by FOX 25's Crystal Haynes.

Van Schoick said he just hopes Carpenter gets help.

"I mean the guy needs help. And I hope that's the outcome."

His focus is Oboe's recovery. Oboe underwent multiple surgeries and veterinarians said even now, three weeks after the incident, he could still lose his leg.

Cox Media Group