“Northern Michigan Man Charged with Shooting and Killing Service Dog: Douglas Barnes Faces Criminal Charges”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A tragic incident took place in Colfax Township, located about 20 miles southwest of Traverse City, where a service dog was shot and killed. The suspect, 65-year-old Douglas Barnes from Harrietta, is now facing multiple charges in connection with the incident. Michigan State Police reported that the shooting occurred in November, but charges were not filed until December 29, 2023. Barnes turned himself into the Wexford County Jail on Friday.

According to investigators, the shooting took place on a driveway approximately 1,000 feet away from the dog’s owner’s home. The owner and his registered service dog, a German Shepherd named Smokey, were walking together when the tragic incident occurred. Although Smokey was not on a leash, he was only about 12 feet ahead of his owner. Smokey was easily identifiable as he was wearing a black collar, while the owner had an illuminated headlamp on to combat the dusk lighting. Suddenly, the owner heard a loud gunshot and Smokey yelping in pain.

Distraught, the owner watched as Smokey spun in a circle before collapsing just off the edge of the driveway, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Desperate for help, the owner yelled out for assistance, but unfortunately, no one responded. In a state of shock and grief, the owner quickly headed towards another section of his driveway, which intersects federal and state forest property, and encountered a man attempting to flee in a truck. The man, later identified as Barnes, claimed that he thought he had shot a coyote.

A State Trooper intervened and confiscated Barnes’ weapon, a 7MM Browning Model 81 lever-action rifle equipped with a scope. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the scope was set at a 3X zoom. Barnes explained to the trooper that he did not see anyone walking with the animal and genuinely believed it was a coyote. However, investigators revealed that the distance from where Barnes claimed to be hunting to the center of the driveway, where Smokey was shot, was approximately 104 yards. They further highlighted that at 100 yards, the field of view at 3X zoom for the specific scope model used by Barnes is 40 feet.

As a result, Barnes now faces serious consequences for his actions. He was arraigned on one count of killing or torturing an animal and one count of reckless use of a firearm. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. However, Barnes was released on a personal recognizance bond.

This heart-wrenching incident has sparked outrage among animal advocates and the local community. The loss of a registered service dog like Smokey is not only devastating for the owner but also highlights the importance of responsible firearm use and the need for stricter regulations. The case is now in the hands of the justice system, and the owner and his family hope that justice will be served for their beloved companion, Smokey..