A LaFayette man has been arrested for animal cruelty after allegedly shooting and killing a dog.

According to LaFayette Police Department reports:

Christopher Lee Jones, 43, of Campbell Crescent Drive was arrested Jan. 25 for aggravated cruelty to animals and discharging a firearm near a road. He was released that day on $705 bond.

The dog’s owner had been notified by an acquaintance that his dog had been shot at a residence where he had been living up until the week prior.

He became aware of the shooting when his mother received a text message at 5:35 a.m. from a witness in the crime.

The owner contacted police after a friend verified that ‘the dog was not moving,” according to statements given to authorities.

Jones reportedly came home at midnight after working second shift and began drinking.

At 5 a.m. he reportedly woke the residents at the home, telling them he had “got rid of the dog” and that “he shot the dog and had pulled it behind the truck,” according to the statement.

The witnesses noticed blood on Jones’ hands and clothing as Jones spoke, before he passed out in another room.

Officers found the white mix-breed dog partially concealed under a red pickup truck in the back yard.

About a dozen empty beer bottles were found next to Jones’ bed as officers woke him to place him under arrest.

The 1-year-old dog had been shot with a Lorcin 38-caliber semi-automatic handgun, which was found in a headboard.

Officers photographed the area where Jones had allegedly dragged the bleeding dog and photographed the pair of jeans he had been wearing, found on the back porch.

Jones admitted to shooting the dog. He said he killed the dog because it damaged items in the house and defecated in the yard. He also said the owner would not return to claim the dog.