CHATFIELD, Minn. — A southeastern Minnesota man is facing two felony charges after the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office said he shot and killed his family's dog during an argument last week.
Richard Taylor Jordan, 31, of Chatfield, faces charges of overwork/mistreat animals and intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers safety.
Court records indicate he was released on conditions following his court appearance. Jordan has been ordered to surrender all of the firearms in his possession to law enforcement.
During an argument between Jordan and a woman, the woman fell to the ground and the family's pitbull-labrador mix nipped at her shoulder, according to the criminal complaint.
The dog also nipped Jordan in the left ankle, court documents state. After that, Jordan pointed a shotgun at the dog, court documents state.
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"The gun then went off and Witness saw the dog's head fall over to the side," the complaint reads. "Defendant (Jordan) immediately said that it was an accident. Defendant took the shotgun apart and placed it in a vehicle. Defendant wrapped up the dog and then left the scene."
When Jordan was arrested on Saturday morning 23 miles away in Rochester, he reportedly told officers he shot the dog intentionally but did so because he was afraid for his safety and the safety of the children in the home.
