Puppy Shot, Killed For Wandering Into Neighbor's Yard

Puppy Shot, Killed For Wandering Into Neighbor's Yard

LA VERGNE, Tenn. – After losing a pet, Airel Duffer, knew "Jada" - a 3-month-old, 3 lb., 4 oz. "Min Pin" – or Miniature Pinscher would be perfect.

"I wanted another baby because we kind of filled a void after we didn't have one," Duffer said from her home Wednesday. "She brought the joy back that the kids love, especially when you're used to having a little dog."

On Sunday, Duffer said they took Jada out to use the bathroom when something went terribly wrong.

"She came out and she loved leaves, so she was chasing a leaf. I went back in to get her collar because I was going to put her on the tie out," she said.

Jada wandered into a neighboring backyard. Moments later, the neighbor's grandson was at her door to deliver some bad news.

"He said 'somebody shot your dog,' and I was like 'what?'" she said. "I went over there and sure enough, but she couldn't get up. So I picked her up and saw two little wounds on her."

Jada had been shot twice. It only took a little investigating for Duffer to realize the boy's grandfather, George Garrett, pulled the trigger.

"I said George 'do you know who shot my dog?' And he said, 'yeah, I shot it. I shot her. There's a leash law in Tennessee and I'm not stepping in your dog's… and I shot her. You need to keep your dog in your own yard,'" she recalled in disbelief.

On Wednesday, La Vergne police questioned Garrett at his home before issuing a citation. He was charged him with intentionally killing an animal, which is a misdemeanor.

He declined comment when NewsChannel 5 visited shortly after.

"Nobody's home!" he yelled through his front door.

Duffer is left only with memories of a pet who so quickly became one of them.

"Yes, she's an animal, but she was still part of our family and we're devastated, my kids are saddened. You can't just replace her," she went on to say.

Duffer said her veterinarian was going to try surgery Wednesday to remove the bullets, but Jada passed away Monday night.