WEXFORD CO., Mich. (WNEM) – Man Charged After Fatally Shooting Service Dog in Wexford County

A Wexford County resident has been charged with a heinous crime after shooting and killing a service dog in November. The incident occurred on Monday, November 27th, around 5:20 p.m., when Michigan State Police (MSP) received a distressing call regarding the shooting of a service dog while its owner was taking it for a walk.

The owner of the dog was walking along an improved driveway off of N. 33rd Road in Colfax Township, which runs through federal and state forest land to his residence, when the tragedy took place.

According to MSP, the dog, named Smokey, was an AKC-registered German Shepherd and a registered service dog. Smokey and his owner were approximately 1,000 feet away from their home when the incident occurred. Smokey was walking off-leash about 12 feet ahead of his owner when he was shot.

The owner stated that it was dusk when he heard a loud gunshot followed by a yelp from Smokey. The poor dog spun in a circle before collapsing off the edge of the driveway, where he tragically passed away. The devastated owner shouted, “Hey, you just shot my dog!” but was unable to immediately locate the perpetrator.

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As the owner made his way to an area of the driveway where he had earlier noticed tire tracks, he confronted a man attempting to flee in a truck. The suspect was identified as 65-year-old Douglas Alan Barnes from Harriette. Barnes claimed that he had mistaken Smokey for a coyote, according to MSP.

Michigan State Police troopers intervened and engaged in a conversation with Barnes, subsequently confiscating his firearm. The weapon in question was identified as a 7MM Browning Model 81 lever-action rifle equipped with a Bushnell Banner Power Scope, set at a 3x zoom, as per MSP.

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During the investigation, Barnes informed the trooper that he had not seen anyone accompanying the dog and had mistakenly believed it to be a coyote.

MSP revealed that there was an approximate distance of 104 yards separating Barnes from the location where Smokey was shot. The model of the scope on Barnes’ rifle indicated that at a 3x zoom, the field of view was 40 feet when the target was 100 yards away.

Following the incident, an arrest warrant was issued for Barnes on December 29th. Barnes voluntarily surrendered to authorities on January 5th. He has been charged with one count of killing/torturing animals and one count of reckless/negligent use of a firearm.

Barnes was granted a personal recognizance bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for January 23rd at 2 p.m.

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