CLINTON, ONEIDA CO. -- An Oneida County man is accused of shooting his dog to death.
Kirkland police tell CNY Central William Richerson, of 35 Fountain Street in Clinton, was emotionally upset, so he took the family dog into the basement and shot it with a .22 caliber pistol. Police say it happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday at Richerson's home.
The dog, a Jack Russell Terrier named Sam, was later found dead. Police say Richerson's wife later found the gun in the basement.
New Hartford Animal Control later took the dog and transported it for an autopsy.
Richerson is charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, a felony and criminal possession of a weapon. Police say he did not have a permit for the gun.
He was arraigned in the Town of Kirkland Court and sent to the Oneida County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to re-appear in court on April 26th.
