An Eagan man convicted of mistreating an animal after shooting of his family dog in a bathroom while his children slept upstairs was sentenced Thursday.
Bart Swedin, 38, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, 500 hours of community work at an animal shelter and two years probation by District Judge William Thuet, prosecutors said.
Swedin admitted that he had shot the 9-month-old Labrador puppy, Tootsie, after the dog chewed on a book and some carpet, according to a news release from Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom.
The police report said Swedin smelled strongly of alcohol when he was arrested.
Further investigation showed Swedin first shocked the dog several times with a shock collar, used for training, before shooting the animal. When Swedin's wife tried to help the dog, Swedin shocked her too.
Swedin pleaded also guilty to domestic assault and negligent storage of a firearm. Police found a loaded pistol and an unloaded rifle in an unlocked area of the garage.
Swedin's wife told police that the couple's two children were sleeping in their room directly above the bathroom when Swedin shot the dog three times with a 9 mm pistol, said Backstrom. The dog was found dead later in the garage.
http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S6909.html?cat=1
Bart Swedin, 38, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, 500 hours of community work at an animal shelter and two years probation by District Judge William Thuet, prosecutors said.
Swedin admitted that he had shot the 9-month-old Labrador puppy, Tootsie, after the dog chewed on a book and some carpet, according to a news release from Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom.
The police report said Swedin smelled strongly of alcohol when he was arrested.
Further investigation showed Swedin first shocked the dog several times with a shock collar, used for training, before shooting the animal. When Swedin's wife tried to help the dog, Swedin shocked her too.
Swedin pleaded also guilty to domestic assault and negligent storage of a firearm. Police found a loaded pistol and an unloaded rifle in an unlocked area of the garage.
Swedin's wife told police that the couple's two children were sleeping in their room directly above the bathroom when Swedin shot the dog three times with a 9 mm pistol, said Backstrom. The dog was found dead later in the garage.
http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S6909.html?cat=1