An 11-year-old Spotsylvania boy shot his neighbor’s dog this week with a gun he stole from another neighbor, police said.

Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Liz Scott said the boy told police that he shot the dog because it was barking too much.

Scott said the incident occurred Monday afternoon in the area of Mullins Court.

Mullins Court is a private dirt road off Spotswood Furnance Road, about two miles from Riverbend High School. There are only two homes on the road.

The dog’s owner reported that about 3 p.m., he heard his dog barking, heard a shot and then heard his dog whimpering.

The owner went outside and found the dog, a German Shepherd mix named Molly, lying on the front porch. She had been shot through the neck.

The dog was taken to St. Francis Animal Hospital, where it was treated and released. The dog is now recovering at home with non life-threatening injuries.

Deputy Chuck Carey and animal control officers responded to the area and were eventually contacted by a woman who had found a .22-caliber long rifle with a scope that didn’t belong to her family.

She said her son had admitted stealing it from a neighbor’s garage and had used it to shoot the dog.

Scott said she wasn’t sure when the gun was stolen, but it was taken before Monday. The owner, who lives on another street, knew the gun was missing but had not yet reported it, Scott said.

It was not clear exactly where the dog was when it was shot or how far away the shooter was. The boy’s home is about 100 yards from the dog owner’s home.

The boy was charged with larceny of a firearm, illegal possession of a rifle by a person under 18, reckless handling of a firearm and cruelty to animals. He was placed in the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Bill Neely said it is rare for county children that young to be arrested and incarcerated, but he said officials are very concerned about the alleged behavior.

The boy will receive psychiatric testing, Neely said.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
kepps@freelancestar.com