Owner of Missing Dog Shocked to See Social Media Video of 2 Men Allegedly Using Animal for Target Practice

The dog was recovered safely and returned to its owners

A missing dog was rescued in Alabama after a video circulating online showed the restrained animal apparently being used as target practice.

The Etowah County Sheriff’s says it was alerted to a video on social media showing “cruel treatment” of a dog. The video appeared to show a man fire a gun toward the frantic dog, which was tied to a tree.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident. Trenton Dewayne Sudberry, 18, and an unnamed juvenile were charged with animal cruelty. It is not immediately clear if either has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

The sheriff’s office says the dog, named Bullet, was recovered safely and returned to his owners.

“It's unfortunate that animals are mistreated,” Sheriff Jonathon Horton said in a statement. “Animals cannot speak up, so we have to make sure we do our best to take care of them and be their voice. Animal cases are just as important as any case we work.”

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Bullet’s owner, Nicholas Wayne, told WBRC that his dog had been missing when he heard about the video circulating online — and was shocked that it involved his dog.

“He’s traumatized, we were told to keep him away from fireworks, put some headphones on him if we have to,” Wayne said. “Just make sure he’s not around anything that’s not going to set him off, but other than that he has been very good.”

Wayne also told the outlet he wants the video to stay on social media to warn people about how animals can be abused.

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