June 15, 2023 11:00 a.m.

A Roseburg man was charged with first-degree animal abuse by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

A DCSO report said at 10:50 a.m. neighbors reported hearing a disturbance, children screaming, and an engine revving, followed by a loud crash and two gunshots. This was in the 600 block of Cleveland Loop Drive in Melrose. Deputies arrived in the area and saw a mini-van approaching Cleveland Hill Road and learned that it was associated with the incident.

A 32-year old was contacted at the home and said the gunshots were from putting his dog down. The suspect said there had been argument. He said the dog needed to be put down because it was harassing the chickens, though not at the time he shot it. The animal was three months old and weighed approximately fifteen pounds. The man said the dog was killed with a shotgun.

The victim was contacted in her vehicle and confirmed the man shot the dog after a verbal argument.

The suspect was then taken into custody. Animal control took custody of the dog. The man was detained without bail and was released early Thursday.