A Memphis family says their 6-year-old pug, Bruno, was shot to death Thursday after slipping out of the yard and wandering into a nearby barbershop a block from their home. The dog had been with the family since he was a puppy, and relatives say he was never aggressive. The family says it plans to file a police report and is asking neighbors for information while they wait for answers.
According to WREG, relatives say Bruno got out through a gate, made his way into the barbershop and was then shot. They allege that a person who lives in the neighborhood is responsible. Johnathan McKinnie told reporters he received a call that Bruno had been shot and said the loss has “hurt an entire family,” according to the station.
Family's account of Bruno's last moments
Relatives say Bruno slipped through an open gate and wandered the short distance to the barbershop before he was shot. In their account, the pug had been part of the household since puppyhood and “was never aggressive toward anyone.” That description of Bruno and what the family says happened was also carried in coverage by AOL, which republished the WREG report.
Barbershop owner's response
The family says the barbershop owner allegedly admitted to shooting Bruno. The owner’s wife, however, told WREG she was not aware of any dog situation. It is not yet clear whether the owner faces charges or whether Memphis police have opened a formal investigation.
Possible legal consequences
Under state law, cruelty to animals is a criminal offense. Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-202 defines cruelty to animals and generally treats a first offense as a Class A misdemeanor. Aggravated cruelty that intentionally kills or seriously injures a companion animal is addressed in § 39-14-212 and can be prosecuted as a felony. For local resources and reporting, Memphis Animal Services is the city’s open-intake shelter and provides guidance for reporting injured or abused animals.
The family says it will file a police report and is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Memphis police so investigators can follow up.
