Former Deputy Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charge after Shooting Dog

EMORY — The now-former deputy who shot an East Texas homeowner’s dog has been indicted by a Rains County grand jury for animal cruelty. According to KETK, the Rains County District Clerk’s Office confirmed Jerrod Dooley has been charged with the crime. Dooley was fired in late April by the sheriff’s office after being placed on administrative leave for several days following the shooting on Farm to Market 514. The owner said he drowned his dog to end his suffering. A necropsy showed the dog was shot in the back of his head while retreating from the shooter.

The deputy responded to a call for help nearly two hours after a robbery was reported. The delay was investigated and the cause was found and corrected with administrative actions, according to the sheriff’s office. Dooley stated after the incident, he felt in danger of being attacked by the family dog and reacted by shooting to keep from being bitten.