A Laurel County man is in jail, accused of shooting and killing a dog after luring it into a hunting trap in his yard.

Robert Shabel, 35, is charged with second-degree animal cruelty and second-degree wanton endangerment.

According to an arrest citation, three weeks ago Schabel trapped a dog in his yard and while it was howling, shot and killed it.

Court papers state that the 35 year old shot the dog after a neighbor tried to stop him, saying they would take the animal to a veterinarian.

Neighbors say Schabel placed rabbits in cages on his back porch and used them as bait to lure stray dogs into traps that were set up in his yard.

Those who live nearby describe the traps as hunting traps that clamp shut over an animal's leg.

Schabel was arrested on Wednesday but neighbors say the traps are still in his yard off US 25 in Lily, so they are still concerned.

While neighbors are worried about stray animals, they are more concerned about the safety of children because a day care is next door.

"Our oldest child is six, maybe five. They can't read signs. They can't read when it says caution, live traps," said an employee of Kid’s First Child Care, who did not want to be identified.

Schabel will be arraigned in court Friday morning.

He declined WKYT’s request for an interview.