A man was arrested for allegedly killing a neighbor’s dog outside his Gallatin, Tennessee, home, an arrest record states.

William Pate is accused of shooting a Pomeranian that escaped its fence and wandered over to Pate’s home.

According to an arrest record, the dog’s owner told officers the Pomeranian escaped her fence when she was not looking. She found her pet two houses down, where Pate lives, whimpering.

Her husband found a gunshot wound on the dog’s right side near its back leg, and they brought the animal to an emergency veterinarian.

The dog suffered internal bleeding and broken ribs, the arrest record says. A neighbor confirmed to FOX 17 News that the dog died after three different veterinarians tried to save it.

The dog’s owner filed a police report and alleged Pate was responsible for shooting her Pomeranian. The owner told police Pate “did not take the incident lightly” and “sent her hostile messages over social media” after the incident.

Officers were dispatched to Spencer Springs Drive for the animal call and spoke with Pate, who police say changed his story several times. The arrest record says Pate finally admitted to shooting the dog and said, “Do I want the dog shot? Yes.”

Pate claimed he shot the dog to protect his 3-year-old daughter, who was in his yard at the time, but when officers asked if the dog had ever been aggressive or barked at either him or his daughter, Pate replied no.

The dog’s owner also said the Pomeranian had never been violent toward anyone.

Pate was arrested for aggravated animal cruelty. His court date is set for Nov. 19 at Sumner County General Sessions.