Sheriff: Man arrested in shooting of family dog

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the shooting of a family dog earlier this month in Young America Township, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received a call just before 6 p.m. on June 15 about a dog that had been shot at an unknown location in Young America Township.

Upon arriving, deputies learned that a family member had walked the family dog to the end of their driveway and lost sight of the dog. After about 15 minutes, the dog returned home with gunshot wounds, according to the sheriff’s office – described the family in social media posts as .22 caliber rifle wounds. The family rushed the dog to a veterinary hospital in Golden Valley, but it was determined the wounds were too severe and the pet was euthanized.

According to the sheriff’s office, Patrick Will, 55, of Norwood was charged June 21 with a felony offense of animal mistreatment-torture.

According to reports, Will allegedly admitted to deputies that he shot the dog, claiming he originally thought it was a coyote.

Will was released on bail, with stipulations to not have contact with the alleged victims, nor is he to possess firearms.

Will’s first court appearance is slated for July 20.