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MONROE - The Benton County Sheriff's Office has charged a Monroe man with shooting and killing a dog on his property.

Joseph Paul Hardin, 69, of Monroe, was charged with first-degree animal abuse, a Class A misdemeanor, after reportedly shooting and killing "Charlie," a black German shepherd for allegedly chasing deer on Hardin's property on Aug. 29 at 26326 Highway 99W in Monroe. Charlie was neighbor Juan Ramos' companion animal and service dog. Ramos is a combat veteran who served in the Navy, according to a report from BCSO. Deputy Eric Glass issued Hardin a citation in lieu of custody as Hardin reportedly injured his leg in weeks prior and was cooperative during the investigation.

Glass described the incident in this way in his report of the incident.

Hardin told Glass that he had been resting on the couch and got up to go into the kitchen to get something to eat when he looked out onto his field and saw a black dog "spook a doe" from the ditch. Hardin noted that the doe got away but a yearling did not make it over a fence and the "black dog knocked it down."