CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
Corpus Christi Police are still conducting a criminal investigation into allegations regarding an incident in Flour Bluff, in which a family dog was said to be shot and killed by a neighbor.
Police were called out to a home on the 9000 block of Goldcrest Circle on Sunday, after a nearby resident heard gunshots.
Sarah Porter, the owner of the three-year old bull terrier named Zeus that was shot, said that the dog had dug a hole into her neighbor's backyard, and that is when the pet was shot.
Zeus was taken to the VCA Oso Creek Animal Hospital and Emergency Center, located at 7721 South Staples Street, but veterinarians were unable to save him.
"Basically he took a member of our family, and left us with heartbroken children and a large vet bill," Porter said.
The veterinarian that tended to Zeus, along with the animal hospital employees, have made no comment on the situation so far. Animal Control investigators are looking into the incident, and said that cruelty charges may be filed against the man pending the investigation.
According to Texas law, you can shoot an animal on your property if you feel it poses an immediate threat, but pets and livestock are considered property and authorities say, when possible, returning the property to its rightful owner is the preferred solution.
