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DUCHESNE — A man is facing criminal charges accusing him of shooting and killing a family dog while intoxicated.
David George Harrison, 35, was charged Wednesday in 8th District Court with illegal shooting of a gun, a third-degree felony; aggravated cruelty to an animal and unlawful purchase by an interdicted person, class B misdemeanors; and intoxication, a class C misdemeanor.
The incident occurred on Feb. 17 while Harrison was visiting relatives, according to a police booking affidavit. Duchesne County sheriff's deputies were called to a residence where a dog was shot in the neck.
"While speaking with David, I could see that his eyes were visibly red and watery and he had a strong odor consistent with an alcoholic beverage," the affidavit states. "David appeared to have a hard time explaining things and he sat down in his chair in the living room.
"David told me that he had his firearm sitting on the couch and his dog jumped on the couch and it shot the dog. I found this story highly unlikely," the deputy wrote.
Investigators then spoke to others who were in the home at the time. Deputies were told Harrison "has an obsession with getting out their firearms while he is drinking," the affidavit alleges. "The incident appeared to be done recklessly and not intentionally."
Other family members took the dog to a local clinic immediately after it was shot.
"I was advised that the vet had located a bullet in the dog's spinal cord. I was again notified later that due to the injuries caused by David, the animal was being euthanized," the affidavit states.
A portable breathalyzer test allegedly measured Harrison's blood-alcohol level at 0.292%. Harrison is restricted from purchasing alcohol due to a previous case, according to the affidavit.
