Owner of dog shot & killed in Palm Desert talks about incident
Deputies arrested a 30-year-old Palm Desert man accused of shooting a dog early Wednesday morning. The dog later died at a local veterinarian’s office, according to authorities. And now KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 are hearing from one of the dog’s owners.
Troy Unterein owns the 6-and-a-half to 7-year-old black lab, named Kirby, but he is currently living on the East Coast. He said his wife was home at the time of the shooting and they believe the suspect, John Singleterry, entered their backyard and was startled when the dog began barking, and then shot the dog.
Unterein said his 6-year-old daughter is devastated by Kirby’s death and the family is glad the shooter was caught.
Singleterry was booked on a felony warrant following the early morning shooting. Sheriff’s deputies expect more charges to be filed in connection to the dog’s death and for discharging a firearm. He’s being held without bail.
Deputies with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said they responded to reports of a man with a gun along the 44000 block of Acacia Drive at approximately 1 a.m. Deputies said they heard gunshots when they arrived.
Deputies said they located the dog with a gunshot wound. The dog wasn’t inside a home when it was found.
Deputies found a man matching the gunman’s description as they continued their investigation. Deputies said Singleterry was hiding in the general area and was detained.
News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Jeremy Chen reports paramedics were on scene for a short time before leaving without taking anyone in to custody.
Sheriff’s investigators returned to the area collecting evidence at the 72000 block of Sonora Drive near the intersection with Acacia at approximately 5:45 a.m. and then left after 15 minutes.
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Stay with News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 for the latest.
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