Southeast Nebraska man shot and killed dog with pellet gun, deputies say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A dog was shot dead with a pellet gun Saturday in southeast Nebraska, authorities say.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Cortland, a village in the northern part of the county, about 7:15 p.m.

A 57-year-old Cortland man shot the dog after it ran through his yard and garage, according to the sheriff’s office.

The dog then ran to its owner’s back patio, where a gathering was being held, and died.

A deputy found an apparent pellet entry wound on the left side of the dog, which was an 8-year-old heeler mix named Hulk.

The sheriff’s office said the man also shot at another dog owned by the same person.

He also gave false statements to the deputy, investigators said.

The man has been cited on suspicion of animal abuse and false reporting.