Family Says Beloved Pet Was Killed While Daughter Was Outside
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – A Monroe County family is seeking answers after their neighbor was charged in connection with the shooting death of their family dog.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, 39-year-old Nicholas Scott Cook is charged with knowingly killing an animal after deputies investigated a shooting that occurred on October 22 on Wilson Station Road in Madisonville.
The investigation began when Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Owen Hooper responded to the Watkins family’s home. According to the affidavit, Sydni and Tyler Watkins were visibly upset when deputies arrived and found their dog lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.
The couple told investigators their neighbor, Cook, came out of his residence and shot the dog.
According to the affidavit, Cook told deputies the dog had been chasing chickens on his property and that neighborhood dogs had caused problems in the past. However, investigators said Cook’s own security camera footage contradicted that account.
The affidavit states the video showed the dog standing in Cook’s yard and licking an empty silver pan, with no chickens visible nearby. Investigators reported hearing a gunshot on the video before the dog yelped and ran toward its home.
Authorities say the video captured three gunshots in total.
According to the affidavit, Cook later admitted a third shot was fired after the injured dog had fallen near the property line. Investigators wrote that Cook told them he approached the wounded animal and fired another shot while it was still alive.
The Watkins family says the loss has been especially difficult because of the bond between the dog, named Briar, and their young daughter.
In a statement, the family said Briar was their six-year-old daughter’s beloved companion and that the child was outside when the shooting occurred.
The family also expressed concerns about the proximity of the gunfire to their home and children, calling for accountability in cases involving violence against family pets.
Cook was arrested, booked into the Monroe County Jail and later released. The case remains in the court system.
Monroe County family reels after neighbor charged with shooting, killing family dog(Sydni and Tyler Watkins) WVLT
