An investigation began when Toby s owners said their pet had been discovered howling in pain by a neighbor, the statement said.
A veterinarian found Toby had been shot in the head, it added. A pellet removed from the dog s head was connected to an air rifle in Stroemel s possession at the time of the shooting.
Stroemel, a heavy equipment operator also known as Wild Willie, shot the dog while it was walking by his home, the prosecutor s office said. He then asked an acquaintance to keep the air rifle for him, it alleged.
A surveillance camera showed Stroemel discarding something in the backyard of his Fifth Street home after the shooting, according to a probable cause statement for his arrest.