Dog survives crossbow shot; owner charged
GOODLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A lawyer for a Michigan man charged with animal cruelty after his retriever was found wounded with a crossbow arrow in the top of her head says the shooting was justified because the dog killed another dog.
Lawyer Denis McCarthy told the Detroit Free Press that 28-year-old Christopher Scott had "just cause" to kill the dog, named Gemma, because the animal killed his other dog -- a pug -- "literally ripping out its throat."
McCarthy told the paper that Scott, of Lapeer County's Goodland Township, has five children in the home and there are young children living next door.
The dog named Gemma was found wandering in March. The arrow was lodged above her left eye and was later removed by a veterinarian.
Scott faces up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted. He's due in court July 8 for a hearing to determine if the case goes to trial.
Gemma appears to be making a full recovery. She remains housed at the county's animal control unit because she's considered evidence in the case, reports CBS Detroit.